NZ Bits and Bytes Issue 3-06

N€W Z€fiLfiND'S P€RSONfll COMPUT€R MflGRZIN€

March 1985: $2.00

The Sinclair QL

Before you compare
our new computer

system with any other,
double the price.

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With Green Screen Monitor

ONLY $995

With Colour Monitor

ONLY $1395

CPC464

complete

with

monitor
datacorder

taw^

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Other computer systems that get
anywhere near the new CPC464 on
specification cost around twice as
much.

Which other home computer, for in-
stance, gives you 64K of RAM (42K
available), 32KofROMandacolour
monitor or VDU?

Which other home computer, gives
youa built-in cassettedatarecorder,
typewriter style keyboard, numeric
keypad and a very fast extended
BASIC?

What's more, the CPC464 comes
complete and ready-to-go.

Just plug it in.

64KRAM.

Dollar for dollar, other micros can ' t
match the CPC464's memory. Over
42Kisavailabletousers, thanks tothe
implementation of ROM overlay tech-
niques.

So there'splenty of room for soph-
isticated and complex programs.

High resolution graphics.
Stereo sound.

The monitor drives each colour on the
screen directly from the computer.
There's no unnecessary circuitry to
distort your view. No tuning problems.
Andnoargumentsaboutwho'susing
the computer and who's watching TV.

Sounds good, doesn't it?

Sodoes theCPC464 with its 3-voice,
7-octave stereo output fed through
a hi-fi amplifier and speakers.

Amsoft. High quality software.

A rapidly expandingrange of pro-
gramsisalready available. High quality
software that takes full advantage of the
CPC464's high specification and s peed-
loadin g capability.

Which means even complex pro-
grams can be loaded quickly.

Arcade games, educational pro-
grams and business applications are
all designed to utilise the CPC464's
impressive graphics, sound and pro-
cessing abilities.

CPC464 green screen VDU (GT64)

Green screen VDU.

Text and numerical data are bright,
sharpandeasilyreadataglance. Which
is invaluable for word processing,
accounting, budgeting and developing
programs. And thispurposedesigned
visual display system has an 80 column
text display.

Green screen versions of the CPC464
can be used with a colour TV by connec t-
ing the optional power supply and
modulator MP-1.

Amstrad. User
Information Service.

Whether you're interested in serious
commercial applications or you're a
games fanatic you'll want to receive
the latest information about your
AMSTRAD Computer. Upon request
you will be advised about the latest
software and its application, special
information concerning your CPC464,
available peripherals and software
reviews. There will also be programs
and exercises to try.

User Clubs.

In addition to the User Information
Service you will be given details of
where you may contact your nearest
independent user club.-

CPC464.
Unlimited scope for expansion.

At Amstrad, wetry toanticipateyour
future requirements. That's why
there's a built-in parallel printer inter-
face. A low cost optional disk drive
system includingCP/M* and LOGO.
A joystick port. And the virtually
unlimited potential of the Z80 data bus
with sideways ROM support.

Optional disk
drive DDI-1
including interface
CP/M'andLOGC

Optional 80 column dot matrix printer UMP-1.
Offers high performance computerised text processing

AMSTRAD

I "Trade mark Digital Research

I'd like to know moreabouttheincredibleCPC464 complete computer systemand

where to see one.

Please send literature right away.

name

ADDRESS

AD.
NO. 3

UBTUI

cpcswsa

POSTCODE

Post: Grandstand Leisure, P.O. Box 2353. Auckland
Telephone 504-033, 504-034

-I,

I

800 1 13600.J Op

Rduice rtjj ^t;

Dart' i i.-..r your h»ir .• — i rifl i

goto r | ^F I

< Mini-, and I I : ■■ • lor YOUR M

-I Your Lot (»rs - g»neral topic*

ft IJiI'Im! !-■•. .,!.••.

chers here ue com

GOTO 1 tor th» latest ol your t*t '.-■-.

Microcomputer
Videotext is Coming !

and adding all these enhancements to your

computer...

* Instant electronic information

* Telesoftware

* Electronic Mail

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The Bits & Bytes videotext service is now in its preparation stages.
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If you are interested in an electronic magazine including all the above features then please
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I Yes! I am interested in subscribing to your planned microcomputer
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BUS 6 BVT

March, 1985 Vol 3, No 6

ISN0111-9826

FEATURES

Hardware Reviews

Sinclair's long-awaited QL is here at last. Gary Parker and Ian
Hemmingsen have spent several months working with the QL and
sifting through the accompanying verbiage. Their findings:

The Tandy 1000 is the latest contender in the bedrock-price,
16-bit New Zealand stakes. John Slane has been running his eye
over the Tandy's form. His judgement:

Delphi Industries has reinvented the computer equivalent of the
wheel — and successfully too, reports Peter Ensor. He puts his
case:

Software review

John Vargo has a whirl with Framework, and decides it sets new
standards in performance and ease of use. He explains why:

People

The man who built the world's first practical microcomputer and
began the Apple legend made a flying visit to New Zealand
recently. Bits & Bytes' John MacGibbon recorded an in-depth
interview with Steve Wozniak while he was here. The first of a
two-part series:

Education

More and more people are using Logo and Ross Poison reckons it's
time we started sharing ideas. He begins the sharing process:

Beginners

Jay Mann underlines the importance of using the right word when
it comes to technical computer language.

Gordon Findlay offers advice on avoiding trouble with disks.

COLUMNS

REGULARS

Advertiser index
Book Club
Books

Classified advts
Micro moments
Micro news

20

25

29

31

35

51
53

Apple: John MacGibbon defends Sandy. 54

Atari: Michael Fletcher plays a gun war game. 67

BBC: Pip Forer looks at three new expansion options. 63

Commodore 64: Steven Darnold speculates on Commodore's

future. 58

Sega: Dick Williams investigates some aspects of filing systems. 60

Spectravideo: Alex Bridger continues his examination of

benchmark times and reviews Sector Alpha. 56

Spectrum: Gary Parker discusses faster BASIC. 64

TRS-80/Systems 80: Gordon Findlay unravels the secrets of

keeping track of information. 66

8, 9, 12, 14,

76
72
69
76
2
16, 18

Sinclair QL 20

Tandy 1000 25

TCM Board 29

4/ ^c

Programs 34

BITS & BYTES - March 1 985 - 3

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The Wozniak interview

In 1 976, Steve Wozniak, along with collaborator Steve Jobs,
hocked a Hewlett-Packard programmable calculator and a
Volkswagen van to build the world's first practical
microcomputer in a garage, so creating the Apple II legend.
And a good deal of the Silicon Valley legend to boot. (Pun
intended).

Wozniak, the technical genius behind the development,
visited New Zealand last December at the invitation of the
Wellington Apple User Club, to attend a champagne breakfast.

Bits & Bytes correspondent John MacGibbon, who also edits
the Wellington club's newsletter, lured Wozniak with an
offbeat letter inviting him to the breakfast "on behalf of our
1 0O-plus members, the other 2, 1 99,900 New Zealanders, and

our 60 million sheep".

Travelling here was to be at Wozniak's own expense, but he
was promised free breakfast.

The Wozniak response: "How could I turn down the
opportunity to attend a genuine hacker-mode breakfast in a
Pizza Hut in New Zealand."

"Woz", spoke for more than two hours among the pizzas,
telling tales that included early days in Silicon Valley, the
development of Apple Inc, electronic pranks and phone
phreaking with Captain Crunch.

John MacGibbon was also able to tape an exclusive
interview with Wozniak:

Apple's problem years

MacGibbon: The other day, you were
talking about the Apple III taking 90% of
the company effort for 3% of the
income. Were those the figures?

Wozniak: Three per cent of the income
— easily 90% of the creation efforts.
Maybe more.

MacGibbon: What years were those?
Wozniak: 1 980 to 1 983, the years when
the Apple II was our largest selling
computer. Those days, we had no ads
for Apple lis. If you looked at all the
dealer promotions, it was all Apple III. All
of our internal product development was
Apple III. Our staff all had Apple Ills on
their desks — no Apple lis. We paid our
people to write for computer magazines,
and gave them twice as much per word
to write about the Apple III.

All we put out for the Apple II was
Logo and Pilot, because they were in its
small game, home, education, hobby
market. We did not develop those. We
basically just bought them and got them
into shape for shipping, with minimal
development.

To the outside world's mind, you could
use the Apple II for almost anything.
Everyone kept trying to use the Apple II
for business purposes and add more to it:
plug-in cards, more memory, every
spreadsheet you could buy. You could
also buy cards to plug in — have a
megabyte of memory. They got hard
disks onto it somehow, and they got
operating systems, and they added all
the things they wanted.

We should have looked at the users:
what they wanted, where they were
trying to take the machine was the
indication of where we should have
supported it. And we didn't.

We had the Apple III positioned as our
business machine, and never paid
attention to the fact it was always going
to be such a small percentage of our
sales. We should have diverted our
resources to supporting the Apple II.
Even the Apple lie development came
about only as an undercover operation
by a manager and an engineer within the
Apple II division.

MacGibbon: Even if Apple had got
behind the II at that stage, and if the III
hadn't had such a disastrous start, do

4 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

you think the IBM PC's drive would have
been significantly blunted?

Wozniak: I actually believe that if the
III had been done right, then it would
have been the choice of the higher
capability community — instead of the
PC. I also think if in the early days we had
admitted the Apple III hadn't taken off
right, and instead focused on the Apple II
as a higher end business and office
solution, we could have given it (the
Apple II) a larger share of the market. We
could have put in a lot of the things the
market considered important.

MacGibbon: Once you ironed out the
Apple Ill's technical problems, it turned
out a pretty good machine, didn't it?

Wozniak: It's an excellent machine
except for openness. We didn't say
enough about it — how it works,
documentation, use this when you want
to, go try this. You know, let users find
their own solutions. We sort of said no.
We said we're so brilliant, we created
such a perfect solution. Engineering said
"we don't want anybody tampering with
this and doing all the random things that
are almost impossible to support".

MacGibbon: How important has been
the appointment of John Scully (ex Pepsi
Cola) as president, in the turnaround in
Apple's fortunes?

Wozniak: The new president wasn't
tied to a lot of the sacred cow projects.
He came in, looked things over very
quickly and realised the Apple III was a
small percentage of our income, and all
of our expenses. He refocused a lot of
energy on the Apple II and it's starting to
take place.

The most inspirational person in the
world is Steve Jobs. He is very brilliant,
spotted a lot of the answers and has
created an incredible new technology
product — the Macintosh — rather than
just follow in the IBM footsteps. John
Scully is heavily behind that and giving
support above it.

The company image from this point on
will be associated with Macintosh. It
gives us higher credibility, although it's
still a smaller percentage of our unit
sales.

MacGibbon: Apple's stocks are still
pretty volatile, aren't they?

Wozniak: They go up and down wildly
because we've been a company with
only one product the (Apple II) that ever
made money. The value of Apple stock
has varied nearly six to one in a six-
month time frame. There were periods a
little over a year ago when the American
community, the press, were pretty much
predicting Apple's demise, and the stock
went from 30 to 20 in one day. But a
year and a half ago, it was down to 1 1 . A
little less than a year ago, it was up to
$63.

It varies so greatly because it's been a
very unpredictable future for a company
with only one product that's selling. Now
we're in a little healthier shape in that we
have two products selling.

The company's future is still at risk.
The whole personal computer business
is. It's a very difficult business when
you're trying to tailor products to the
mass consumer market.

Eventually it will become less a
creation battle, and just an efficient
manufacturing battle. And the Japanese
have a lead there.

MacGibbon: Already?

Wozniak: Whenever it comes down to
efficient manufacturing, America's
tended to fall into second place.

Macintosh

MacGibbon: Didn't the manufacturing
techniques in the Macintosh plant
borrow from the Japanese?

Wozniak: They attempted to. There
was a lot of hype. For example, the major
automation features of the Macintosh
factory actually didn't work. So we
took'em out and put in people rolling
carts around. The challenges are very
difficult when you're doing it for the first
time. We're almost breaking new ground
with that factory.

MacGibbon: Is the Macintosh Apple's
saviour?

Wozniak: Steve Jobs makes a lot of
enemies everywhere in the company, so
almost everyone in the Apple II division,
every manager right up to the division
management, thought Macintosh was

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taking away a lot of what they had to
work with. It was getting all the
attention and dollars and focus. Pretty
much the opinion at the executive level
was that Macintosh was still a risky
project.

The people who were actually working
on Macintosh, knew what a great
computer it was. They knew it was the
one they'd want in their own lives, as
computer people. They felt Steve Jobs
was saving the company, and pretty
much that's what it seemed like to me
too. The product was accepted as a
winner and took off when it came out. It
was accepted as a good computer.
Almost nobody has bad things to say
about it, other than maybe it's not quite
the computer for them.

MacGibbon: People have wondered if
the mouse is such a wonderful thing . . .
Wozniak: If I were in control of these
decisions, and I'm obviously not, I would
have said, sure a mouse is great for a lot
of things. But boy, if you allow options,
everyone uses them and swears by
them. So everyone I've ever heard I
totally agree with — we should have had
arrow keys as well as the mouse.

I personally find — even with word
processors — that if there is a mouse
available, I just will not want to use the
arrows, even when they're available, as
they are on my lie. But you should still
leave in a lot of options and
simplifications. We should always allow
a good flexible range of shortcuts.

MacGibbon: I certainly prefer to keep
my hands on the keyboard when word
processing — I don't like having to use
the mouse to move the cursor around.

Wozniak: Almost everywhere I go,
people say that. It might just be because
the mouse stands out as a big difference
factor. People who use the mouse all the
time wind up swearing by it. But people
who've done the most computer science
or word processing, using all the fanciest,
editors that have ever been done, for
instance under the UNIX environment,
pretty much hate the mouse. They'd
rather build in a lot of other more flexible
ways of doing things.

MacGibbon: What else do people ask
you about the Macintosh?

Wozniak: The biggest questions are
whether there's a colour Mac on the
way, or why there aren't any slots. It
turns out that just because you can
define the perfect machine, with
everything built in, it doesn't hurt to
leave a couple of slots, or an expansion
bus coming out the side, like IBM did
with their PCjr. It doesn't hurt. Boy - it
buys you the future.

MacGibbon; Is there a colour Mac
coming?

Wozniak: If there were, I couldn't talk
about it.

MacGibbon: How much memory do
you think the Mac will eventually have?

Wozniak: I think the Macintosh will be
around as a major competitor for
probably 10 years. In 10 years, I expect
that with the cost of memory falling so
drastically, you'll automatically have
enough memory in a personal computer

to have dictionaries on-line, your major
applications on-line. I think it will end up
being four megabytes at the end of that
time frame. Fortunately everything
that's been written on Macintosh can
work on four magabytes, just because of
the operating system handling it.

MacGibbon: With a four megabyte
Macintosh, what's the point of a Lisa?

Wozniak: There are levels of software
sophistication Macintosh still has attain,
to do some things as well or as unified as
Lisa does. It's possible Lisa could be
replaced, because Macintosh could wind
up being a better computer for less than
half the price. When that's the case, it
will be just Macintosh.

MacGibbon: What's beyond the
Macintosh?

Wozniak: Pretty much we don't think in
terms of every year we've got to come
up with some new computer to hook the
world on as a standard. We've got two
good sellers now - the Apple II and the
Macintosh. A lot of the improvements
are really going to be in software. For
example, a better AppleWorks could be a
major improvement in everyone's life.
You don't necessarily have to invent a
new computer based on a new processor
to achieve improvements.

Apple II

MacGibbon: How is the new Apple He
going?

Wonziak: It's still a little new. I figure
you've got to give it some time before it
reaches its final level. Initial sales were
really not what we expected at all. We
converted our main factory over to
produce lies that we thought everyone
would buy, and because our users didn't
switch their purchase tendencies
immediately, we wound up with
100,000 back orders on lies and
100,000 lies in a warehouse. It cost us
heavily, because they were basically
sales that we won't make up.

The lie has bounced back though.
What happened was that the dealers
couldn't get lies, so they had to find a
way to make money. They found out
how to sell the lie.

Like — both computers are Apple Ms.
They both run the same software, they
both are very compatible. I wish they
were more so, because it really stands
out. We should always treat our Apple Ms
as members of the same family and very
compatible. We should not pretend the
lie is such a totally different computer.
Basically, we created the whole world
over instead of working it into the family.

MacGibbon: What is the chief
advantage of the lie?

Wozniak: I claim its advantage is that
it's pre-built — not that it's small and
lightweight. People are not going to carry
their computer back and forth, day after
day for years. No, No, No, you get to a
point that very few people are ever going
to need the portability.

It's just that it's pre-assembled. The
printer port's built-in, the modem port's

BITS & BYTES - March 1985 - 5

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built in, the floppy disk is built in, the
mouse is built in. You don't have to plug
in the cards, read the manuals, figure out
how to do it, open the boxes, connect
the cables, set the dip switches. But it
turns out that's not incompatible with
having slots, for the easiest and simplest
peripherals.

We had one program at one time that
doesn't exist any more, called the llx,
and it had both: built-in and slots.

MacGibbon: Is there any possibility at
all of adding CP/M to the lie as a
peripheral?

Wozniak: No. Not feasible. But the
thing is, if you're going to have a
computer that winds up just sitting in
one place and not being used for
carryability, buy a lie. I mean, with the
He, you're basically safe for anything
that ever comes out in the future.

Enhancements, any plug-in cards with
more memory, higher speed, better
processors: any of that stuff will work on
a lie, and you're safe. It's too bad we
didn't build a little more in for you to save
the first two hours of hassle.

MacGibbon: Do you regret not putting
the 3.5in Sony drive in the lie?

Wozniak: No, because it wasn't
around in sufficient quantity at the time
the decision was made.

MacGibbon, If you did it now, would
you put in the Sony drive?

Wozniak: No question. The current
philosophies of the company, largely
driven by Steve Jobs, are tending
towards a more simple, unified approach
where, for instance, one printer works
across all our family of computers. One
plotter for all of them. One interconnect
scheme for monitors, one modem for all.

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SOFTWARE AVAILABLE from MOLYMERX COMPUTING
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MOLYMERX COMPUTING HAS A 24 HOUR ORDER LINE for

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VISA. BANKCARD, BANK DRAFTS & CHEQUES accepted as are

Personal Cheques (but see THE FINE PRINT belour).
Written Orders to P.O. Box 60-152 (18 Okewa Rd.) Titirangi Auck.
Telex: 60657
THE FINE PRINT

Cheques Not cashed or Cards
debited until goods are dispatched.
Personal cheques must be cleared
prior to dispatch. Freight is extra eg
Model 1000 to Wellington is about
$75. Any delay in dispatch order
beyond 24 hours will be notified
personally to allow you the option
of cancelling your order.

AND WHO THE HELL IS MOLYMERX?

We have been selling Mail order software
mainly for Tandy and System 80 computers in
New Zealand for 3 years. We have an
Australian subsidiary and thousands of well
served and satisfied customers in both
Australia and New Zealand.
We can offer ther AMAZING hardware prices
because we have excellent contacts in the
USA and England who trust us to act well on
their behalf and who can buy in the enor-
mous numbers to allow them to sell to us at
prices New Zealanders have only dreamed
about until now.

Finally it is our opinion that the recent sales
tax decreases have not caused NZ prices to
become low enough.

We would certainly prefer to have only
one type of disk drive. We wouldn't have
to stock so many parts around Apple.

MacGibbon: But then you'd have
incompatibility with your older II series.
Wozniak: Yes, but only for a crossover
durtion. You sometimes have to improve
your technology capability and have the
two of them side by side for a while. It
can cause problems, but it can be
thought out and dealt with during that
time.

MacGibbon: Will you move to a 3.5in
drive for the 11c?

Wozniak: That's our intention.

MacGibbon: Would you do a retrofit
for existing lies?

Wozniak: There are a lot of outs.
Obviously if you built a 3.5in drive in,
you'd want to plug a 5.25in drive in too.
And vice-versa. If you plug a disk drive
into the lie's external slot, that could
theoretically be a 3.5in, if we designed it
to do that. We've used the same
controller chip that Macintosh uses,
controlling the disk. So we could easily
run a 3.5in, with its additional
capabilities and dual density.

But it's interesting, and I'm not sure if
it's in the manuals, that if you type
"PR#7", the lie boots from the plugged-
in drive, not from the built-in. That was a
very clever thing, and I don't know why
we never told anyone. It was originally
put in very thoughtfully by some of the
firmware people, on the grounds of not
knowing yet where we were going.

MacGibbon: Do you see a large market
for peripherals that plug into the serial
ports?

Wozniak: They'll be slower in coming
than peripherals were in the old days.
You've got to do the plastics and the
cabling and you've got to receive signals
out of serial ports and convert them to
whatever format you need. It's not as
easy as plugging onto a processor bus
with card. Those were the simplest,
quickest ones to design in the early days.

But fortunately it's a new computer.
It's perceived as a newer market by
developers, and let's jump in and do
something we know how to do and get it
onto this machine. It's one of the
machines that's been accepted, and that
will help. Development time will be a
little longer because it's got to be a larger
investment.
• To be continued

10m near

The installed base of home com-
puters in USA is now nearing 10 mil-
lion units, according to a New York
industry source, BSI Consulting.

These are made up of:

Commodore 64, 2 million (21%);
Atari, 1.3 million (13%); Texas
Instruments, 1.3 million (13%); VIC
20, 1.2 million (12%); Tandy (Radio
Shack), 750,000 (8%); Apple
(including Macintosh, 600,000
(6%); IBM PC and PCjr, 300,000
(3%); Coleco, 250,000 (3%); other,
2 million (21%).

6 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

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D 128K RAM

] 1 x 5.25 floppy drive

□ Mono screen

□ Full querty keyboard
with numeric key pad

] 1.2 M. Bytes Disk storage & 14 function keys

□ IBM 3270
communications

□ Graphics capability

plus two sense keys
D2RS232Cand1

Centronics port
□ Full upgrade

capabilities

SORD QUALITY

SORD have an international reputation for
technological innovation and producing
high quality multi-functional, state-of-the-art
personal computers. All users of SORD
recommend it — ask them.

WHY THIS OFFER

A special sea freight shipment enabled the
M23 to be landed in N.Z. at a lower cost.

SOFTWARE

The M23 runs CPM and most CPM
applications software, the world's largest
range of software.

WITH A COLOUR SCREEN

SECOND FLOPPY DISK DRIVE

7.4M BYTE HARD DISK EXPANSION

$4995
$ 757
$3985

D
II

Post to: SORD Computers Ltd
Freepost 248
Wellington

Enquiries to: Phone 857-846

I wish to know more

M23 + disk drive + Mono Screen

M23 + disk drive + colour screen

Extra disk drive

Hard disk up-grade

Freight & insurance

Add 10%
Sales tax

COST

TOTAL

$3995 $4395

$4995 $5495

$ 757 $ 833

$3985 $

Please find enclosed:

CHEQUE

VISA

DINERS

Card Number:

Name:

Address

BANKCARD
AMEX
Expiry Date:

Telephone:

Signature:

TOTAL:

$60.00 I understand that I can return the M23 within fourteen days and have my
money refunded if not satisfied.

BITS & BYTES is published monthly,
except January, by Bits & Bytes, Ltd.

Advertising and Editorial
Top door. Daylone House. 53 Davis Cres. P.O.
Box 9870. Newmarket. Auckland. Telephone
549028, 549-677.

Subscriptions. .Production and Book Club
First floor. Oxford Court, 222 Oxford Terrace,
P.O. Box 827. Christchurch. Telephone
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Managing Editor - Paul Crooks

Editor - Gaie Ellis

Production Manager - Dion Crooks

Advertising Representatives

Auckland - Paul O'Donoghue. P.O. Box 9870,

Telephone 549-028.

Wellington - Marc Heymann, P.O. Box

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827, Telephone 66-566.

Editorial Representatives
Wellington - Pat Churchill. 5 Lucknow
Terrace. Khandallah. Telephone 797-193.
Christchurch - Dion Crooks.

Merchandise

Book club and software manager: Dion
Crooks.

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Subscription rate: $ 1 2 a year ( 1 1 issues)
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Distribution

Inquiries: Bookshops — Gordon and

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Computer stores — direct to the

publishers.

Disclaimers

Opinions: The views of reviewers and other
contributors are not necessarily shared by
the publishers.

Copyright: All articles and programs printed
in this magazine are copyright. They should
not be sold or passed on to non-subscribers
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format.

Liability: Although material used in Bits &
Bytes is checked for accuracy, no liability
can be assumed for any losses due to the
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Are you up with the play?

Bits & Bytes is increasing its focus on serious business and educational
applications: we are looking for reviewers to help keep our growing business
readership up with the play.

If you are interested in joining our team of reviewers, or columnists and
taking an in-depth look at new software and hardware as it becomes
available on the New Zealand market.
Contact:
Gaie Ellis,
P.O. Box 9870,
Newmarket. Phone 549-028, 549 677

The small business & computing

We are starting a new column on computing and the small business. If you
are interested in contributing to such a column please contact:
Gaie Ellis,
P.O. Box 9870,
Newmarket. Phone 549-028, 549 677

Eureka!

A new adventure game released
here for the Commodore 64 has a
$25,000 pot of gold at the end of it.

Eureka is, in fact, a suite of five full
colour graphic adventure programs,
all non-violent and each set in a
different time period — prehistoric
Europe, Roman Italy, Arthurian
Britain, wartime Germany and
modern Caribbean.

To win the £25,000 (about
$60,000 New Zealand), the player
must progress through all the
adventures collecting clues. At the
end you have a phone number to call
(unfortunately in Britain). On doing

MICRO MOMENTS

so, you are asked a question, and the
first to get it correct wins the cash.

The package has just been
released worldwide but the
originators don't expect anyone to
crack it for months. If no one has
claimed the prize by December 31,
the prize will be distributed equally
between all registered owners.

The software consists of more
than 250K of mystery and is
delivered on two sides of a disk
costing $79.95. The New Zealand
distributor is Commodore Computers
(P.O. Box 33-847, Takapuna),

BY MATT KILLIP

8 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

'AT LAST 1V£ GCMPLETED
THE. fvV\RK PO-R MODELOF
MY" SYSTEM CONrTRDU£R
... AND NEW FDR THE TEST

o o a

D □

CBVIOUSLY A SLIGHT
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FtR THE MARK FlVEAV3D£L.'

^ IBM Software Specialists!

UPOWER ITD.

Personal
Computer

-^ 420 High St, Lower Hutt
Telephone (04) 693-050

• Nashua floppy disks

MICRO N€UJS

Integral PC on its way

By Pat Churchill

V.'.'.WAV.V.', V.V.-.V. '

The first shipment of Hewlett-
Packard's Integral Personal
Computer, a 16/32-bit UNIX-based
system in a transportable package is
expected about the middle of this
month.

Hewlett-Packard says the Integral
is the first personal computer
designed to provide the performance
benefits of a ROM-based UNIX
operating system (HP-UX) in a
package combining full integration,
power and ease of use with a low
base price.

The Integral PC is believed to cost
over a third less than other
Winchester disk-based UNIX

systems and is comparable in price
with MS-DOS personal computers
which lack the capabilities of the
UNIX system, such as multi-tasking.

The 25lb transportable package
has a built-in Thinkjet printer, a 3in
double sided disk drive, a 9in
electroluminescent display and a full-
size keyboard. The computer is
based on the Motorola 68000 16/32
bit HP graphics processor.

Standard memory is 800K
(expandable) and the HP-IB
expansion interface (IEEE 488) is
also standard. There are five
interface options.

Languages available (at present)
for software development are HP-UX
technical BASIC and HP-UX C.
Software packages include PC aided
design, maths/stats, database
management, communications,

spreadsheet and word processing.

The local price is expected to be
around $12,000 which includes the
HP-UX system, HP Windows and
Personal Applications Manager.

There are ports on the front for
devices such as keyboard, mouse,
bar-code reader or graphics tablet.
There is an optional 300/1200 baud
modem for data communications.

Lisa now Macintosh

Apple has re-named and re-priced
the Lisa 2/10: it will now be known
as the Macintosh XL and the new
price tag is $ 1 8,950, compared with
the earlier price or $23,400.

Dealers were told at the annual
conference in Rotorua last month
that the move reflects the
computer's role in Apple's more
recent line of business products.

The newly appointed marketing
manager, Mai Thompson, says

The Integral Personal Computer.

people who own the Lisa 7/7
business software will be offered a
migration path into networking with
the Macintosh office product range.

Peripheral range

Southmark Electronics Ltd has
been appointed the New Zealand
dealer for the US-manufactured
Tecmar range of computer
peripherals.

The range concentrates on
memory, storage and laboratory
peripherals for the IBM PC range and
more recently, includes storage units
for the Apple Macintosh.

Atari software

Stargate Enterprises (P.O. Box
2240, Tauranga South) is offering
dealers a full range of software for
the Atari computer systems.
Software is available from Synapse,
First Star, Infocom and Strategic
Simulations Incorporated (S.S.I.).
Educational software comes from
CBS (Sesame Street titles), and PDI
(Program Development Inc.) and has
packages for all levels.

Volume leader

Sinclair Research, the British-
based computer manufacturer, has
announced it has sold its five
millionth computer, making it the
world's top volume microcomputer
company.

Founded in July 1979 by Sir Clive
Sinclair, Sinclair Research Ltd has
designed and developed the ZX80,
ZX81, ZX Spectrum, QL and
Spectrum +.

Sinclair now sells to more than 70
countries, including the Eastern Bloc
and China.

UNIX repeat

The UNIX environment will be the
theme for the second UNIX
workshop and exhibition at Massey
University, Palmerston North on May
26-28. The first UNIX gathering was
held at Waikato University last May,
and was regarded as a huge success
by most attendees. As a
consequence, the organisers

anticipate that there will be keen
demand for the 1 50 places available
at the next workshop.

Several overseas speakers have
indicated they will attend, and the
organisers are hoping local people
with some UNIX experience will
present papers on topics such as:
suitability of the UNIX programming
environment for writing commercial
software; software support for UNIX
systems in New Zealand;
standardisation on UNIX — a good
thing or are there better
alternatives?; UNIX and com-
munications.

C64 double

The Commodore 64 has been
voted Home Computer of the Year
for the second year running. Judging'
was done by seven international
computing magazines (none,
incidentally, dedicated to Com-
modore users) from Britain, Germ-
any, Italy, France, the Netherlands
and USA.

Accountants need to
insure

There is a need for accountants to
insure against data loss or corrup-
tion, warns Hartley Computers (NZ)
Ltd.

The New Zealand general
manager, Dean Wotherspoon, says
that insurance against information
loss is not as expensive as many
professionals believe and every
avenue to prevent loss and
disruption to business is important.

"We are used to insuring our
hardware and tangible material
assets against accident or damage
but many people do not realise the
importance of insuring against data
corruption."

Costs could be as low as $50, a
small price when the cost of
recreating damaged information was
taken into account, he said.

Hartley Computers is part of the
Paxus Information group which is the
New Zealand Insurance's informa-
tion services group of companies.

BITS & BYTES - March 1985 9

•

I

V , '

waxen

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MINIDISKS TTE

M,N >-OlSQUESO UPLE

;

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SETS A NEW STANDARD
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Maxell meets or exceeds all
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ANSI, DIN, JIS, ECMA. IBM and Shugart set the
standards for the world's floppy disks. When any of
them issue a 'spec' you can be sure it is
meaningful and important. You can be just as sure
that Maxell meets or exceeds every one of these
standards.

Japanese 'Know how' and
strict quality control is built
into every Maxell disk.

Hitachi Maxell Ltd have set up a factory at
Tsukuba, just out of Tokyo, to specialise in the
manufacture of Maxell floppy disks.

The critical first step in making a disk is the
coating of the polyester film.

Every step of the Maxell coating process, from
the blending of the computer-grade magnetic
powder to the preparation of the sheets of base
material, is under the strictest control.

Each magnetic particle on a disk must be within
certain very strict dimensions and the particles must
also coat the base material with the exact
dispersion and density.

The ideal thickness of the magnetic coating is
2.5 micromillimeters. At Maxell we are very proud
to achieve that dimension with plus or minus 0.1
micromillimeters on every disk.

It's the most difficult, time consuming, and at
times, expensive way there is to produce a quality
disk. But it's the only way we know to make floppy
disks that really stand up to heavy demands.

And the quality control goes on -

* Burnishing is done in special 'clean rooms'.

* Unique Maxell lubricants are applied to give the
least possible headwear and provide a
completely stable output.

* The rolls of magnetic material are cut and
punched into precise 8", 5'/4" and 3 1 /2"
(Microfloppy) disks. If a hole is misaligned by
even a tiny fraction of a millimeter the disk won't
work perfectly.

* The disks are carefully placed in a non-woven
rayon fabric liner and a black PVC jacket. This
protection 'package' receives an antistatic
treatment before its permanently sealed.

That's just the begining -
then the testing starts.

At the Maxell Technical Centre we run disks
under accelerated test conditions actually designed
to make them fail. After 10 million passes Maxell
disks show no sign of wear, no sign of dropouts,
no sign of data loss. None!

Each and every disk is tested for dropout
certification; light transmission and magnetic
retention. We measure it every possible way. For
shape, thickness and exact hole diameter. Jackets
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A new standard of
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No ifs. No buts. No arguments.
Compumedia Systems Ltd, guarantee every Maxell
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for all normal disk drive operations for 1 years.

Maxell disks are available
now in N.Z. for every
major brand of disk driven
computer and word
processing system.

Maxell make it easy. Dealers have a Floppy Disk
Reference Manual. You can tell at a glance exactly
which Maxell Disk you need.
Maxell Floppy Disks -
From your authorised dealer or contact

Compumedia
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MICRO N€WS

xwx-xwkv:: :m:::::™^^

Very British Apricots

Red carpet, a butler at the door
and a representative of H.M.
government — it was all very British.

Appropriate, too, as the range of
computers launched by Barson
Computers in Auckland last month is
made by a company helping to
spearhead the renaissance in British
tecnology.

The new Apricot machines (a PC
model has been sold here for some
months) are made in Scotland's
"Silicon Glen" by Birmingham-based
Applied Computer Techniques, a
20-year-old company which has
successfully moved from a base in
software to hardware distribution,
hardware manufacture and now
international operations.

There to lend an official air to the
proceedings was Sir Anthony
Rawlinson, permanent secretary at
the British Department of Trade and
Industry. He spoke of the surge in UK
technological development that has
been spurred by such events as the
Information Technology year in
1982, and described ACT's
technology as a prime example of the
innovation that is putting British
technical work back on the map.

A video, especially made for the
New Zealand function by ACT's
managing director, Roger Foster,
introduced the new Apricots, which
run from a voice-operated portable to
the 16-bit F1, through two PC
models to the Point 7 and Point 32
systems. These are file servers with
associated cluster controllers
capable of supporting another six
and 31 users respectively.

Barson New Zealand's managing
director, Doug Pauling, made it clear
he hopes to emulate the success of
Barson Australia in the education
market. Barson has won a New
South Wales contract for a huge
Apricot-based educational micro-
computer network.

"Backed by the biggest library of
alternative software in the world and
with true state-of-the-art hardware,
we are confident we cannot only
expand in the education field but also
attract strong business and
government department interest,"
he claimed.

Pauling sees the Point 7 and Point
32 systems as particularly important
for his dealers. The machines will
allow them to open up significant
new markets in medium-sized
businesses.

12 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

The entry-level Apricot Fl business computer

New Atari range

Atari has announced a new range
of low cost eight-bit and 16/32 bit
computers in the USA.

The announcement signals former
Commodore boss and now owner of
Atari Corporation Jack Tramiel's
intention to tackle Commodore and
Apple head-on in a more bytes for
your buck war.

With the shock announcement
that Coleco is ceasing production
immediately of its home computer,
the Adam, it seems that only Tramiel
and Atari can now stop Commodore
from almost totally dominating the
home computer market, at least in
the USA.

But while the new range of Atari
computers was on display at the
huge consumer electronics show in
Las Vegas in January, Atari staff
weren't allowing people to actually
play with them and it seems
production models may be some
months away. The New Zealand
agent for Atari, Monaco Distributors,
says it isn't expecting the new
models to reach our shores before
the middle of next year.

The new XE family of eight-bit
computers is 100% compatible with

the existing Atari 600 and 800 XL
range but offers a variety of
additional features. These seem to
involve mainly more RAM, graphics
and musical capabilities. However
there is also a portable model with a
built in 5in screen (about the size of
the old Osborne screens) displaying
40 columns by 20 rows and a built-in
3.5in disk drive. The cheapest model
in the range will sell in the USA for
under $120.

Probably of more interest will be
the 130 and 520 ST computers
which use the 16/32 bit MC68000
processor and incorporate a
Macintosh-like operating environ-
ment called GEM.

Designed by Digital Research and
Atari, GEM includes such features as
overlapping windows, drop down
menus and icons along with support
for pointing devices such as a
mouse.

The 130 ST, with 128K of RAM,
will retail for $399 in the USA like
the 520 ST, with 51 2K of RAM, will
retail for $US599. This compares
with a US price of round $2500 for
the Macintosh.

i

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Weight 7.5kg net

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Features include:

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High quality, speedy dot-matrix printing

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v.w-W*-.w.:.V.>v.> : .v. : *y.;.v.;^^^^

Changes in Asia

By Pat Churchil

There has been a dramatic change in
products offered at electronics shows in
Asia, says Check Point Computers'
managing director, Tony Pointon.

"The previous year, the emphasis was
on eight-bit and 6502 processor
machines. This had changed mainly to
16 bit computers and the 8088
processor — same as the IBM PC
processor," said Pointon who, with his
partner, John Davis, visited shows in
Asia late last year.

There was very little in the way of
computers with 6502 or Z80A
processors, a swing he called
"dramatic".

Each year, a peripheral gained
acceptance in the market.

"When we started our business two
and a half years ago, in the field of
educational and home use people were
wondering about TV's versus monitors,
and had mostly tape drives. Peripherals
to gain acceptance were monitors then
disk drives. Next came printers. Eighteen
months ago, very few home computer
users had printers."

Pointon predicts the peripheral for
1985 will be the hard disk.

"The price is dropping. We are able to
offer an Apple compatible hard disk
drives for under $3500. The price is
slightly higher for hard disks for IBM and
IBM-compatible machines."

Based on what he saw in Singapore,
Hong Kong and Taipei, Pointori believes
these drives, with a 10mb capacity, will
be this year's peripheral success story,
particularly for the small end of the
business market.

While the shows didn't reflect the
leading edge of technology, they did
point up which area of the market was
the most popular at the time. This year, it
was the 16-bit IBM and IBM-compatible
market.

But there was a development in the
wings likely to make an impact on the
New Zealand market this year.

"This is the Japanese MSX machines.
The Japanese have developed this
standard in hardware and also in
software. Approximately 1 2 Japanese
companies are now manufacturing to
meet that standard, plus two in Hong
Kong and some in Singapore.

"At present, they are avoiding the US
market until they get to the stage of a
mature marketing and support point of
view. However, they are now marketing
strongly in Europe, will be moving to
Australia soon, and then to New Zealand
— probably around the end of the first
quarter of this year."

Pointon said the reason for the delay in
going to the USA was that the US market
"is such a mess and a hassle" and the
Japanese wanted to go in with strength.

"This is just about the first example of
a standard being set and accepted by a
number of companies, and being
adhered to. All the names are there —

14 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

Sanyo, Pansonic, Mitsubishi."

Pointon said the cheap copy business
was being "quite strongly" discouraged
by the Taiwanese government. It also
discouraged complete copies of other
people's computers.

"in Hong Kong, there was quite a bit
of cheap software, mostly for Apple and
some for IBM PCs. One centre in Hong
Kong had a lot of pirated software."

Cheap software and copies of manuals
were also available in Singapore.

It was evident the computer market
was a young person's market, not only
from the end users' point of view, but
also from the people involved in the
industry, he said.

Superbase II here

Unique Systems Ltd has been
contracted to provide technical
support for a new software product
from Precision Software (US) Ltd.

Superbase II software for Apple 2
computers — a new version of the
successful Superbase 64 for
Commodore computers — comes
with a tutorial on audio tape, as well
as the usual printed manual.

Unique will provide technical
support for Precision products
throughout New Zealand, Australia
and the Pacific.

US. MICROCOMPUTER PURCHASES
1975-1984

900—1

750 —

600—

UNITS

IN

THOUSANDS

450 —

300-

150-

Lack of training

Despite their spectacular impact
on the computer market, micros
have made a very limited mark in US
corporations partly because of the
absence of training programs for
managers, according to a recent
survey.

Only a quarter of the 453
companies surveyed used formal
training programmes to teach
employees how to operate
microcomputer equipment and
software and only 24 per cent of
these companies have seen training
materials they approve of.

Less than 15 per cent of the

respondents reported widespread
use of microcomputers within their
organisation, with nearly 60 per cent
noting little or no use of the
computers.

However, more than 57 per cent
of the respondents expected
increased use of micros in the next
year and 42 per cent have
considered using training materials.

The companies surveyed for the
international accounting and

consulting firm of Arthur Young
were among the largest in the USA
and represented a broad range of
industries.

THE 3RD DIMENSION

Contact Sou^o^^-^uotCoto^ue.

....Ltdfo.n.oreinfan^tion
aod^r~own tOO page' -

ENQUIRIES MOST WELCOME

DEALER

>ouTnnWM

17 1 Grafton Road

^1 PO BOX *""*%!& 798005

t MEMBER OF THE PAXUS

GR OUP OF COMPANIES

MICRO N€WS

1 20% increase forecast

v.v//.v.v/-//.v/'/.v/Av.v.v/.^v.--A.v.:'-^-.y./.v.y^y^.^:v^.;v^^

The latest Arthur Hoby and
Associates survey into the New
Zealand business microcomputer
market (PCs retailing at $3000-plus)
forecasts a 1 20 per cent increase in
the market in the next year.

The growth in the market last year
(the 1 2 months to September, 1 984)
was valued at almost $90 million.

Hoby and Associates says there
are now 1 5,884 microcomputers
installed in the New Zealand
business market. Of these, 51.5 per
cent are stand alone systems (with
just over 20 per cent multi-user
systems), 59.1 per cent run on eight-
bit processors, and almost 55 per
cent use CP/M.

The most popular applications are
accounting, spreadsheet and word
processing. Interestingly, 10.7 per
cent of business micro users
reported having used pirated
software.

First MS-DOS 3.1 net

The world's first network running
nder the MS-DOS 3.1 operating
system has been implemented by
Barson computers in Australia
assisted by the New Zealand
technical services manager, Tony
Krzyzewski.

The system allows multiple users
to hook into common file systems.
The previous version, MS-DOS 2,
was designed for stand-alone
operation.

"MS-Net" was installed for the
Hornsby Technical Institute in New
South Wales — the first institute in
the state to set up its own network.
All others will follow, each with one
or more networks of Apricot
personal computers.

Each network will consist of 16
PCs linked to a Point 32 file server
made by the Apricot's manufacturer,
Applied Computer Techniques, of
Britain.

Networks are being set up at the
rate of one a week and all 300
machines in the technical institute's
order — believed to be Australia's
largest microcomputer sale — run
MS-DOS 3.1

Macintosh office

Pursuing penetration into the
business market, Apple introduced
its Macintosh office to dealers at the
annual dealer conference in Rotorua.
As part of this move, two new

16 - BITS & BYTES - Match 1985

The Gespac microcomputer board

Kiwi connection

The electronics & instrumentation
division of E.C. Gough Ltd (P.O. Box
22-073, Christchurch) is now
representing the Swiss Company,
Gespac, in New Zealand. Gespac
manufactures microcomputer boards
in the single-height Euroboard format
with more than 90 complementary
functions.

It supports the eight-bit MC 6809,
Z80 and 8085, 16-bit MC68000,

8088, and PDP 11/70 compatible
micro J11, and the 32-bit NS 16032,
microprocessors, as well as com-
patible memories, interfaces, cont-
rollers, converters, and accessories.
All boards are compatible with the
standard G-64 bus, easily interfaced,
non-multiplexed 8/16 bit bus
operating in either synchronous or
asynchronous mode.

products have just been released in
the USA — the Appletalk personal
network, and the laserwriter, a laser
printer that provides high quality
print. Both products will be available
here later this year.

The Appletalk network can
support up to 32 computers/
peripherals, within a work area of
about 1000 feet. The concept
behind the design is to provide a
network that is low cost, easy to
install and use, and powerful enough
to interact with other networks.

Apple's US president, John
Sculley, reports there are more than
50 companies with product under
development for the network. These
include hardware devices that
connect Apple computers with IBM)
PCs, an interface to the Ethernet
local area network, gateways to the
IBM networks, a UNIX file server and
hard disk servers.

The LaserWriter can be built into
the Appletalk network and be shared
by up to 31 personal computers in a
work group. It also has a RS-232
port to connect to other devices. A
built-in program that emulates the

Diablo 630 IBM and IBM compatible
PCs using WordStar or other IBM
software can print directly on the
laserwriter without software
modification.

Computers in the past

Anyone wanting to dig up their
family roots can enlist the help of the
newly-formed New Zealand

Genealogical Computer Society.

The society offers members the
aid of computer technology to
establish and assemble family trees.

Maarten de Vries, who was active
in forming the national society,,
found there were many people"
throughout the country interested in
using computers to trace their
history.

A Genealogy Users club has been
formed in Auckland and meets
monthly (the first Wednesday) at
107 Hillsborough Road, Auckland.

Prospective computer geneal-
ogists should contact Maarten de
Vries, (P.O. Box 9870, Newmarket,
Auckland).

The Commodore 16 was reviewed in the February issue of Bits and Bytes.

The learning machine. Hie productivity machine.

The Commodore 16 is the best f'rst time
user machine available.

SUMMARY OF KEY COMMODORE 16 FEATURES

• 16K Random Access Memory (12K user).

• High Resolution Graphics — 121 Colours.

• Powerful Language. Simpe Commands like: DRAW,
BOX, CIRCLE, PAINT, COLOUR, SOUND and many
additional programing treats such as AUTO line
numbering, RENUMBER, GETKEY. IF. . . THEN . . .
ELSE, LOCATE, MONITOR.

• Full Typewriter Keyboard.

• 40 column Screen Display.

• Price $495.

ripppppp^aimipipipfB P»

The Commodore Plus 4 is the only
computer with 4 leading software programs built
in. Word processing. Graphics. Spreadsheet and
File management. With the touch of a key go
from one program to another.

Programs that are not only built into the
computer, but built into each other.

SUMMARY OF KEY PLUS 4 FEATURES

• 64K Random Access Memory (60K user).

• Full Typewriter Keyboard.

• Sophisticated Basic Language.

• Built-in Software.

• Split Screen and Windowing Capabilities.

• Price $995.

The newCommodore i6and Plus4
are now available anywhere on this page.

KAEO

Manco Computer Services, ph. 204

KERIKERI

Er.ol Rogers Lid. ph. 78-519

WHANQAREI

Garnet Keono Ltd. ph. 84-999

Muir Electronics Ltd. ph. 82-970

Northland Computer Systems, ph. 83-063.

KAIKOHE

Ian Cook Electronics Ltd. ph. 72

WAIUKU

Simco Electronics Ltd. ph. 59-340

AUCKLAND ARC Electrons Ltd..

Papatootoc, ph. 278-3988.

Ashby Computer Centre. Glendowie.

ph. 588-301.

Ashford Television Ltd.. Orakei.

ph. 583-293.

C B Centre. Takapuna. ph. 444-8062.

Computawarc Retailers Ltd., Browns Bay.

ph. 478- 1793.

Computer Craft. New Lynn. ph. 871-700.

The Computer Terminal, Birkenhead.

ph. 4190543.

Family Computing Centre. Newmarket

ph. 540-376.

Glamuzinas. Glendcne. ph. 836-9580.

John Walker Music Ltd.. Papakura.

ph. 299-8827.

K Road Video and Computer Co.. Newton.

ph. 399-655.

Microland. Penrose, ph. 596-450.

Newtons Centre. Henderson, ph. 836-6949.

Personal Computer Store. Takapuna.

ph. 496-502.

Selcom Electronics. Panmure. ph. 577-199.

Supatech Electronics. Mt Eden.

ph. 605-216.

PUKEKOHE

Pukekohe Computers, ph. 87-003.

THAMES

James Electronics Ltd. ph. 86-893.

WAIHI

Stevens Radio Service Ltd. ph. 8207.

HAMILTON

Computer Rentals, ph. 79-442.

Computer Room Ltd. ph. 80-781.

Dollar Save Comput-a-Centre.

ph. 393-545.

Einstein Scientific Ltd. ph. 81-969.

CAMBRIDGE

Stopwatch Computer Services, ph. 3624.

ROTORUA

Brian Hamilton Ltd. ph. 87-146.

Channel 5. ph. 89-164.

Powercorp Centres Ltd ph. 479-172.

TAURANOA

Communication House NZ Ltd.

ph. 82857.

Powercorp Centres Ltd. ph. 81 009.

TE PUKE

Phil Booth Television Audio.

ph. 37-882.

WHAKATANE

Whakatanc Appliances Ltd. ph. 85-054.

John C. Good Ltd. ph. 887-611.

GISBORNE

Microtech, ph. 88-990.

Personal and Business Computers.

ph. 88-848.

HAWKES BAY

Andas Centre, Hastings, ph. 82-089.

H.M. winlove Ltd.. Waipukurau.

ph. 88-739.

Timms Business Equipment Ltd..

Napier, ph. 54-250.

KAWERAU

Dennis Jackson Ltd ph. 7030.

TOKOROA

Computer Centre, ph. 64-900.

OTOROHANGA

King Country Computing, ph. 8071.

NEW PLYMOUTH

Einstein Scientific Ltd. ph. 82-858

Lamberts Ltd. ph. 83-667.

Trio Business Centre Ltd ph. 88-586.

WANGANUI

Stewart Appliances, ph. 52-700.

PALMERSTON NORTH

Einstein Scientific Ltd. ph. 64- 108.

Viscount Electronics Ltd. ph. 86-696.

PARAPARAUMU

Kapiti Independent Business
Machines Ltd.
ph. 87-351.

MASTERTON

Masterton Computer Centre, ph. 89-963.

WELLINGTON

Computer Experience, ph. 736-777.

Dispersed Data Network Conslt.

ph. 697-548.

Einstein Scientific Ltd. ph, 851-055.

Home Entertainment Centre Ltd.

ph. 661-145.

Ice Clear TV Services, ph. 282-475.

L.V. Martin and Son Ltd. ph. 724-356.

The Microshop. ph. 721-902.

Vanvis Stereo and TV Ltd. ph. 856-651.

BLENHEIM

Herkt Home Applicances. ph. 88-999.

NELSON

Personal Computer Systems, ph. 79-362.

Ross and Staig TV Services Ltd.

ph. 80397.

RANGIORA

Craw Video Services Ltd ph 6200.

CHRISTCHURCH

Computerworld. ph. 61-399,
The Computer Centre, ph. 793-428.
The Computercorpo Ltd. ph. 486- 780.
Einstein Scientific Ltd. ph. 66-441
G.T. Computing ph. 797-811.

GREYMOUTH

Coast Business Machines, ph. 5264.

HOKITIKA

Graham Electronics Ltd. ph. 384.

TIMARU

Oliff's Business Eauipment. ph. 44-241.

ASHBURTON

Smith and Church Electrical Ltd.

ph. 89019.

QUEENSTOWN

Video Electric ph 1368.

ALEXANDRA

Ken France Electronics Ltd ph 8021.

DUNEDIN

Eclipse Radio and Computers, ph. 778-102.

GORE

Eastern Southland Computers, ph. 5710.

INVERCARGILL

OES Business Systems Ltd. ph. 84-448.

Ql commodore

Everywhere you go there's a Commodore.

MICRO N€WS

v:«*:'X*x:*: ; :x.:->:*:*xtt^^

New Commodore computers

Not content with releasing two new
computers this month (the C16,
reviewed in the February issue and the
Plus 4, to be reviewed soon).
Commodore Computers has disclosed
plans to release at least two more new
computers this year.

Surprisingly, one will be an IBM PC
compatible computer, manufactured in
Germany. No other details are available
at this stage but Commodore promises it
will be priced significantly below the IBM
PC.

The other definite (or as much as
anything can be definite when you are
dealing with Commodore International)
is the C1 28, a successor to the C64. The
CI 28 will be able to operate in three
modes:

• Commodore 64 mode — running in
this mode the C128 will be 100%
compatible with existing C64 hardware

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and software, so that the huge support
base built up for the C64 won't be

SPCCIM OFFCR

VERBATIM DISKs

"The best Quality disks on the market"

WHY THIS OFFER

Our Australian
associates bought a
company with several
thousand Verbatim disks
in stock.

Datalife

Minidisk

Datalife

B-Nferballm

LIMITED STOCKS. — You will never be
able to buy disks at this price again.

BULK PURCHASES from Companies, User groups, Schools, WELCOME

ORDER FORM:

Name:

Organisation:

per Box No. Boxes

Cost

Disks

S.S/D.D.

D.S/DD.

556.00

'$59.00

TOTAL S

Bankcard
Visa

Sign

Add S2.50p.p. per box
Address: SEND TO:

Verbatim Disks

85? P.O. Box 3425

11-15 Ghuznee Street
WELLINGTON

No. . .
Exp.

The Commodore 128
wasted.

• CP/M mode - This allows the C128
to run any of the software programs
written for use with the CP/M 3.0
operating system.

• C128 mode — This mode features
Commodore's most powerful version of
BASIC. Combined with the standard
1 28K of RAM, BASIC 7.0 allows the use
of more than 1 40 commands,
statements and functions.

To allow it to operate in three modes,
the C128 contains three processors — a
651 OA (as in the Commodore 64), a
Z80A for CP/M and a 8502 (6502
compatible) for the 128 mode.

The C128 comes with 128K of RAM
(although it obviously uses only 64K
when operating in C64 mode),
expandable to 51 2K and can display
either 40 or 80 columns.

Commodore estimates that C128
owners will immediately have more than
6000 C64 and CP/M programs to choose
from and a growing number of programs
written specifically for the 128 mode.

The C128 is not expected to be
available in New Zealand until July and
no pricing is available yet.

Other models Commodore may release
this year include a portable with LCD
screen (unveiled in the USA in January
but unlikely to be sold in New Zealand)
and the Macintosh-like Amiga computer
(see Micro News, October, 1984, Bits &
Bytes).

Businesswoman award

Sperry Information Systems and
More magazine are sponsoring a
Businesswoman of the Year Award.
The annual award will carry a
$10,000 prize.

Sperry's general manager Paul
Kimberley, said his company was co-
sponsoring the award because it felt
women should have greater
recognition for the role they played in
business.

18 - BITS & BYTES - March 19B5

OEMs, Dealers and Distributors:

If you believe in offering your customers the best

OFFER PRINTERS FROM THE...
OFrtn r SEIKOSHA RANGE

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW ZEALAND

This printer outclasses all others on the market — SEIKOSHA 5420

HIGH SPEED

HIGH PERFORMANCE

DOT MATRIX

$3399

RETAIL (tax incl.)

TOP VALUE! What other printer can match these standard features?

• 420 cps Draft, 104 W.R mode

• 18 K print buffer

• A switch for easy user font/print style selection

at draft, italic, correspondence or graphics modes

• Multi type style

• Both serial & parallel interfaces fitted

• Pin or friction feed

• I.B.M. compatible

• Sound absorbent case, for whisper quiet printing

Others in the SEIKOSHA range include:

SP SERIES
SP800

■ 96-160 cps

' Multi-type styles, function
' Draft and near letter quality
" Tractor or friction feed
' Bi directional, Logic seeking
" 9-12 pin heads
" 10" Carriage

$800-$1500

Retail (tax. incl.)

GP50

FOR POINT OF SALE,
VIDEOTEX OR HOME
COMPUTING

' 40 cps

* Unihammer

" 5 inch carriage

■ Graphics and type

$389

Retail
(tax incl.)

GP700

COLOUR PRINTER

■ 7 colours: black, red
yellow, purple, blue,
green, magenta.

' 50 cps

' Friction & trader
feed

* 10" Carriage

$1038

Retail (tax incl.)

There are many more printers in this range.
Contact us for further information.

OEMS, DEALERS NATIONAL DISTRIBUTORS:
Price negotiable dependant upon quantity.

CONTACT: A. F. (Tony) Eastwood

N.Z. Peripheral Distributors

P.O. Box 9447

Wellington

PHONE: (04) 857-846

Single units sold at full retail from N.Z. Peripheral Distributors.

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■.■.■.■.■.■.■.■.-.-.■.•.■.vv.v.-.y.

SINCLAIR QL

The considered facts

By Gary Parker & Ian Hemmingsen

The Sinclair QL

The Sinclair QL has without a
doubt been subject to more
comment in the last few months
than most computers get in their
lifetime. Overseas reviewers have
been sharply divided in their
opinions, and conflicting information
has appeared as magazines tried to
be the first to review the machine by
testing early versions. But now with
the completed QL about to be
released in New Zealand, we present
the facts.

The QL is a complex computer,
and you cannot expect a complete
evaluation from a day's trial. So Ian
Hemmingsen and I got together to
write this review. We have both used
the QL on and off for the last few
months, and in addition, I contacted
two QL owners who have been using
privately imported models for some
time, to hear their opinions.

The Sinclair QL comes in an
angular black case, unusually wide
and slim — 47cm wide, 14cm deep,
and 4cm high. To the right of the
keyboard are two microdrives. An
external power supply, TV cable,
three plug-on feet, a wallet with four
business programs, a user's guide,
and some blank cartridges, are all
supplied.

The manual, which comes in a
voluminous black ring binder, fills
most of the QL's box and weighs
more than the computer! It contains
sections headed: beginner's guide,
keywords, concepts, QL Quill, QL
Abacus, QL Archive, QL Easel, and
information. To our dismay, it began
with seven pages of errata, but our
manual was several months old.

Let's hope New Zealand manuals will
be improved.

For this reason, we won't dwell
too much on our manual except to
say that while it seems well written,
it is a little disorganised and lacks an
index, making information difficult to
find. Information on QDOS (the QL's
operating system) is available as an
extra in the QDOS programmers
manual. Reading a pre-released
version revealed a lot of useful
information for the advanced user.

The QL keyboard uses 65 full-
travel black plastic keys with white
lettering. There is a full-size spacebar
and five function keys. In short, it
looks fairly much like most "real"
keyboards. However, the keys are all
in the same plane instead of being
stepped, and without the three
shaky feet which "fit" under the
computer, the keyboard lacks slope.

Keys have to be pressed straight

The QL hardware

down to register consistently, and
fast typing makes them clatter,
rather like some Apple keyboards.
We felt the keyboard was
reasonable, but not up to the
standard of, say, the BBC. A home
user would be happy with it, but a
professional typist using the QL for
word processing might find it a little
irritating.

When turned on, the QL asks the
user to press F1 or F2, depending
whether a monitor or TV is
connected. If F1 is pressed, the QL
goes into "monitor" mode, where
the screen is divided into two halves
vertically. The white left half has 40
columns and 20 lines for displaying
the program listing. The red right half
has the same format for program
output. At the bottom is a five-line,
80 column area for input. This mode
goes slightly off the edges of the
screen if used with a TV — which is a

The QL uses two processors, an eight-
bit Intel 8049 for input/output operations
such as keyboard scanning, and a 32-bit
Motorola 68008 as its CPU. Even the
8049 is more sophisticated than the
other eight-bit processors which run
home computers. It can be thought of as
a complete computer in itself, as it
contains 2K of RAM and 128 bytes of
ROM built in.

The 68008 has been criticised as not
being a true 32-bit processor. It is the
cheapest of Motorola's 32-bit 68000
family, although it still costs a lot more
than the familiar Z-80 or 6502.
Internally, it is a true 32-bit processor,
but it has only an eight-bit data bus. So it

works like a 32-bit, except that it
accesses memory like an eight-bit. You
get the power of a 32-bit processor, but
at slightly reduced speed. You can add
"only" 1 Megabyte (1000K) of memory
to the 68008. Compare this with 64K for
eight-bit processors!

For a 32-bit processor, we were
disappointed to find the QL's
SuperBASIC works to only eight
significant figures. However it can
handle numbers to the ludicrously large
power of 615. To put this into
perspective, the distance to the star,
Sirius, in millimetres, is only in the order
of the 20th power.

20 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

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The QL software

The four business programs which
come with the QL are claimed to be as
good as anything on the market, and
PSION is said to be considering
marketing them for the IBM PC. Just
how good are they?

Quill, the word processor, was the
program I spent the most time with. I
found it exceptionally powerful, and
quite user-friendly, considering how
many commands there are. I haven't
used expensive professional word
processing programs enough to
accurately compare Quill, so I asked a QL
user who also uses WordStar on the
Apple. He rated Quill very good, but felt
it didn't offer enough advantages over
WordStar to make it worth changing. His
main criticism of Quill was the length of
time required to load and save long
documents on the microdrives.

So it seems Quill is up to professional
standards except for microdrive access
time. QLs sold in New Zealand will have
a later and slightly faster version of Quill
than I used.

Abacus, the spreadsheet, definitely
seemed superior to other spreadsheets I
have tried, mainly because it is more
user-friendly, making use of English
words more than code letters and
numbers. However that does mean a

little more typing is required. Abacus has
all the usual spreadsheet commands as
well as some novel ones.

Unlike the other programs, the
database, Archive, requires some
programming knowledge to make full
use of its facilities. Procedures to tailor
the program to the user's needs are
written in a language similar to
SuperBASIC. Archive has all the sorting
and searching facilities you would
expect of a database, plus good
calculational facilities.

Easel, the business graphics program,
can draw any type of graph I could think
of trying — bar, line, pie, kite, and every
variation in between. It shows off the
QL's colourful high-resolution graphics
to full effect, but of course you'll have
trouble reproducing it on a printer —
perhaps Easel's main limitation. Sinclair
suggests photographing the screen.

So PSION has produced an excellent
set of programs, well up to professional
standard, but their effectiveness is
reduced by having to use the slow
microdrives. This is aggravated by the
software using overlaying techniques to
conserve memory, which require
frequent drive access. This will limit the
programs' appeal to professional users.

pity since 80 columns are just about
readable on a TV.

If F1 is pressed, the QL goes into
"TV" mode, where the screen has
one 40-column area covering the
whole screen, with a five-line area at
the bottom.

These areas, termed windows, are
completely software-controllable.
You can have several windows on
the screen at one time, each acting
rather like an individual screen. A
window can be any size and shape,
and occur anywhere on the screen.
There is a very comprehensive set of
commands connected with

windows, including smooth scrolling
in any direction, flashing,
highlighting, and much more.

In high-resolution mode, the QL
offers 512 by 256 pixels and four
colours. PSION's QL Chess provides
a stunning demonstration of this
mode. Realistically shaded pieces
glide around a board shown in three-
dimensional perspective. The superb
display must be matched by the
program's playing ability — it tied for
first place in the 1984 world
microcomputer chess champion-
ships. QL Chess is also the only
program I have seen get five stars in
the British Your Computer
magazine's software reviews.

Low resolution mode offers 256
by 256 pixels and eight colours. Four
stipple patterns are also available for

intermediate hues. Surprisingly, I
found these to be clear and haze-free
even on a TV. The picture quality on
a TV is very good, better than most
computers. However this may
depend on the quality of the
modulator fitted in the QL for New
Zealand use. The QL we used had
the original UHF modulator modified
for New Zealand's VHF

transmission.

SuperBASIC

To call the QL's resident language
SuperBASIC is hardly descriptive.
Not because it isn't super, but
because it is not BASIC. While it
does include BASIC commands,
these are integrated into a much
more powerful language so
flawlessly that SuperBASIC does not
seem to be an extended BASIC at all,
but rather a newer improved
language from the ALGOL/
PASCAL/C family.

The language has so many
features you'd really need a book to
learn it properly. The QL manual
covers all the commands, but I found
I was writing SuperBASIC as if it
were BASIC with a few extra
commands until I read more about
the philosophy of the language in
Boris Allen's scholarly (but clear)
book, The Sinclair QL Companion.

To give some small examples of
SuperBASIC's similarities to

• Examples of what you see with
the QL software (top to bottom):
QL Quill word processing; QL
Abacus spreadsheet; QL Archive
database management; QL Easel
business graphics.

BITS & BYTES - March 1985 - 21

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PASCAL, SuperBASIC's SELECT is a
more sophisticated version of
PASCAL'S CASE statement, and its
IF-ELSE-END IF is an improved
version of PASCAL'S IF-ELSE.
SuperBASIC's looping structures can
all be terminated with END or NEXT
(depending on exactly what you
want to occur), which is more logical
than BASIC and very much like
PASCAL'S BEGIN-END.

Also in common with PASCAL,
SuperBASIC's functions and
procedures are called simply with the
name of the function or procedure,
so a program can be made to look a
little more like English. Use of the
much despised GO TO and GO SUB
should never be necessary in
SuperBASIC, although they are
available.

To make programs easier to read,
recognised keywords are

automatically converted to capital
letters in the listing. This allows
keywords and procedure names to
be distinguished. For example "rem"
becomes "REMark" in the program
listing.

Conflicting reports have appeared
about SuperBASIC's execution
speed. Unlike most machines,
SuperBASIC does not slow down as
programs get longer. Because of
this, short benchmark programs are
misleading. A moderately sized
program on the QL will run faster
than on most BASIC computers.

So SuperBASIC is very impressive..
It is similar to the much acclaimed
BBC BASIC, except that is more
unified in structure and so does not
seem to be just an extended BASIC.
But although Sinclair has obviously
put a lot of thought into the
language, the interpreter shows
signs of being hastily written. For
example, many commands are
tediously long to type in. To get a
microdrive catalogue, for instance,
you have to type:
dir mdvl_

That trailing underscore is an
unnecessary shifted character.
Editing a line requires at least six key
presses, compared with two on the
Spectrum. A further example is the
ridiculous parameters of the BEEP
command. The length of the beep
can range between and 32767.
However 32767 produces a
maximum beep length of only 2.4
seconds!

Other features of SuperBASIC
include Turtle Graphics, arc circle
and ellipse plotting commands, block
and fill commands and a real time
clock.

Sinclair has termed the new
operating system which runs the

22 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

The shootout: QL v BBC

Sinclair obviously designed the QL as
competition for the BBC, and the two
have many similarities. Which would we
prefer?

Ian Hemmingsen: The QL has some
excellent features, but considering the
market it is aimed at, it has what could
be considered serious faults. The lack of
a Centronics and floppy disk interface
are glaring examples. The BBC may be
based on old technology but it has a
better keyboard, and at present, offers a
greater range of interfaces and
expansion possibilities.

Sinclair seems to have an obsession
with miniaturisation, and typically, there
is no room for internal expansion in the
QL, so add-ons will dangle around
outside. The BBC with floppy disks is
cheaper than the QL with hard disks, and
a fully expanded BBC with a Z-80 second
processor with CPM allows access to a
wide range of software. It will be
interesting to see what other
manufacturers will produce for the QL or
in competition to it. Unless independent
manufacturers do for the QL what they
did for the Spectrum, I would have to opt
for the BBC at present.

Gary Parker: Going by the hardware
alone, the QL leaves the BBC for dead.
But I have been using a BBC for some

time, and I am very impressed with it.
Overall, the BBC operating system
seems slightly more professional than
the QL's. However I really like
SuperBASIC, and could never be
completely happy with BBC BASIC
knowing how elegant SuperBASIC is.

I'm not impressed with the
microdrives, but since they are included
in the QL for the same price as a BBC
alone, they could be considered a
freebie. The BBC's disk drives are
excellent, but they make the BBC
considerably more expensive than the
QL. Several manufacturers claim to be
designing floppy disk interfaces for the
QL, so before long, QL users should have
the disk option.

What really cripples the BBC in my
view is the lack of memory. The BBC
may have excellent graphics, but we
never get to see them because they
leave hardly any room for the progam!
The QL has as much memory just for
graphics alone as the BBC has in total, so
commercial programs must be better on
the QL. A BBC with all the trimmings
such as a second processor would be
better, — but you could have three QLs
for that price. Even though I'd miss some
of the BBC's features, I'd go for the QL.

computer QDOS. Early

advertisements claimed the QL was
capable of multitasking (running
several programs at once). The
QDOS programmers manual reveals
that QDOS has a powerful multi-
tasking system, but this seems to
have been poorly utilised by
SuperBASIC. Multitasking is only
available via machine code at
present. Perhaps future software will
use this power more successfully.

Connections

Unlike previous Sinclair offerings,
the QL is well supplied with external
connections. Along the back are two
network ports, a power socket, a
monitor socket, a TV socket, two
RS-232 ports, two joystick sockets,
and a ROM cartridge port. On the
right side is a socket for connecting
more microdrives, and on the left, an
expansion slot for connecting extra
memory and other hardware.

The network ports can be used to
connect QLs together much like the
BBC Econet. Early advertisements
said the net would allow QLs and
Spectrums to be connected. Welt',
you can connect them, but they
won't communicate! Future soft-
ware may be able to solve the
incompatibility problems.

The power and monitor
connectors are unusual, and so are
the joystick and RS-232 ports, which

use a presently difficult-to-obtain
plug system. The plug is being
adopted by British Telecom,
however, so it should become more
readily available. Although joysticks
do not require an interface to be
connected, you will need a plug
adaptor. We used one ordered from
England for £6. Although we dislike
the plugs for being so unusual, we
must admit they work well. They are
easy to remove, yet very firm when
in position.

A limitation of the RS-232 ports is
that they cannot operate at different
baud rates simultaneously. To
overcome connection problems with
other devices, Sinclair has wired
each plug differently. One acts as a
data terminal (DTE), the other as a
modem terminal (DCE). However in
practice, connection to most
equipment still requires considerable
effort.

The omission of a Centronics
interface is unforgivable, since
Centronics is now undeniably the
standard for printers in the lower
price range. A Centronics interface is
available from another manufacturer,
for an extra £50. We have seen it
working. It is the size of a matchbox,
and contains only three integrated
circuits.

The ROM port will allow cartridges
to be plugged into the QL. These are
expected to contain other languages,

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CHRISTCHURCH

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and perhaps "megagames".

The RAM expansion port is
designed to accept a yet-to-be
released 51 2K memory pack.
Removal of the cover reveals that the
connector is recessed 8cm into the
computer, so most of the expansion
unit should fit internally. Another
manufacturer already offers a 128K
RAM pack, two of which can be
fitted internally to raise the QL's
memory to 384K.

The microdrive extension port
allows up to six extra microdrives to
be added, bringing the total storage
capacity up to 800K. Spectrum
microdrives cannot be used.

The microdrives

The two built-in microdrives are
intended as a cheap alternative to
disk drives on the QL, although they
are not as fast. When I first used a
QL, I compared the speed with the
Spectrum tape format and the
Commodore 64 disk drive, and it
seemed reasonable. But since then, I
have been using the fast BBC drives,
compared to which the microdrives
are intolerable. It takes up to a
minute to load each business

Microcomputer Summary

Name:

Manufacturer:

CPU:

RAM:

ROM:

Display:

Graphics:

Language:

Keyboard:

Audio:

Mass Storage:

Input/output:

Options:

Price:

Reviewers' rating (5 the

highest):

Sinclair QL

Sinclair Research

Motorola 68008 32-bit, Intel 8049 8-bit

1 28K bytes

48K bytes

User selectable up to 85 columns 25 lines

4 colours with 512 x 256 pixels, 8 colours with 256

x 256 pixels

SuperBASIC highly extended BASIC

Full typewriter style keys over membrane, 65 keys

One channel BEEP with considerable user control

Two built-in 100K microdrives using continuous tape

loop cartridges

2 joystick, 2 RS-232C, RGB monitor, VHF TV, ROM

cartridge, 2 network, RAM expansion, microdrive

expansion, power input

Many yet to be released

$1695

offer. Sinclair should have provided a
floppy disk interface.

The other storage medium which
the QL will offer once Sinclair
completes the interface is hard
(Winchester) disks — disk drives
with a non-removable disk capable of
very high storage capabilities. But a

Documentation 3, ease of use 4, language 5,
expansion 4, support 5, value for money 5

evaluate which features are
important to them, and decide
accordingly. We feel that while the
QL may not quite be a match for
computers many times the price (as
Sinclair has claimed), it certainly
represents exceptional value for
money.

What makes it work . . . inside the Spectrum QL

program, and just loading the HELP
pages when using the programs can
take half a minute. Who wants to ask
for help and then have to wait for
that long? We feel the microdrives'
slowness severely limits the QL's
usefulness as a true business
machine.

In addition, we were disappointed
with their realiability. Perhaps we
used the only two bad QLs ever
made, but we found that cartridges
saved on one drive would not work
on another, and on one machine,
microdrive 2 never worked
consistently. That could just be a
matter of adjustment, but that sort
of problem doesn't occur with disk
drives. We feel that while
microdrives may be acceptable for
home use, business use demands
complete reliability and fast access
which the microdrives simply don't

24 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

Winchester will cost considerably
more than a QL. Even though
Winchesters offer high reliability,
business users still make back-up
copies of them. To back up a 10Mb
Winchester on a QL would require
100 microdrive cartridges, and take
over eight hours! Hard disks seem an
odd choice, unless Sinclair intends to
market some very cheap ones.
Realistically, anyone who needs the
use of a Winchester should be
prepared to pay rather more for a
computer.

Overall, the Sinclair QL is a
computer of contrasts. It has some
very good and some not so good
features. The hardware, memory
size, graphics, SuperBASIC, and
software packages are excellent.
Some aspects of the microdrives,
keyboard, and interpreter are not.
Potential QL buyers will have to

World first

The Philips P2000 C has become
the world's first portable micro-
computer available with a 20MB
internal hard disk.

The disk option can be specified
when buying or as an upgrade for
existing P2000 users. One of the
unit's two 640K floppy disk drives is
exchanged for a Seagate 20MB
integrated 5.25in Winchester
technology hard disk.

The initial purchase price for a
PC2000 C, equipped with the 20MB
hard disk, is $12,500, and the
upgrade cost is $7000 (both
including tax).

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TANDY 1000

A low-priced 1 6-bit contender

By John Slane

Tandy has become the latest
contender on the local scene for
bedrock price 16-bit computers with
its Model 1000. For $4085, you can
have a one disk unit with green
screen monitor and a basic
integrated package called DeskMate
which does word processing,
spreadsheet, filing, communications
and appointments. Standard

features include colour, sound, high-
resolution graphics and 128K RAM.
For the people who enjoy games, a
pair of joystick ports is provided —
right on the front of the processor
unit in the most sensible position.

I/O includes video and audio, RGB,
RS-232C and printer parallel. The
latter is an edge connector as used
on other Tandy models such as the III
and the 4, and is a notoriously
difficult socket to disconnect from.
It's time Tandy abandoned this type
of connector for the more
conventional and practical

Centronics socket. I was pleased to
see a hard reset button on the front
of the processor cabinet (although,
surprisingly for me, I never had to
use it!).

The complete unit is quite
compact and well presented in the
now common colour co-ordinates of
cream, grey and black. The supplied
monochrome monitor matches well.

The keyboard follows the Tandy
pattern and is better than average
quality. It has separate cursor keys
(in a triangular placement) and LEDs
on CAPS and NUM LOCK. Keys
function positively except that the
RETURN key won't accept being
pressed off-centre — obviously not
designed by an engineer familiar with
typing. The CAPS LOCK is on the
left-hand side near where it should
be. Twelve function keys are placed
along the top and DeskMate uses all
of them.

On power-up, the system searches
drive A and recognises the absence
of a disk. Striking any key when a
disk is in place starts the read
process. Typically, the Model 1000
is a failsafe, comfortable user-
friendly system. That must be why I
didn't have to use the reset button.

The cooling fan is whisper quiet.
Disk operation is efficient. However,
disks have to be removed before
power-down to avoid the risk of
pulse damage.

The Tandy 1000

The major criticism would have to
be very poor text presentation on
screen. When using a colour
monitor, the text is fuzzy and
unnecessarily hard to read. This
problem is shared by some other
computers (for example the Sanyo
755). The availability of colour does
nothing for easier reading of text on
the screen.

The monitor I used with the review
model was standard green screen
and at least the text was sharper.
But again, as with some other
cheaper computers I have reviewed,
the character font is a poor example
of what is possible. Compared with
all the other current models in the
Tandy range (for example the 4 and
4P, 1200 HD and 2000), the text
presentation on the 1000 is quite

inferior and will be likely to turn off
many potential buyers of, what is in
other respects, a very attractive
package.

The MS-DOS version appears
much as standard although the
Tandy manual was not available to
confirm this. BASIC is a very full
version of GW-BASIC (1984) which
includes advanced user statements
such as ENVIRON for modifying
string tables in BASIC, IOCTL for
controlling a device driver, and
NOISE for generating specific sounds
of that general type.

However, I was startled to see that
on entering BASIC, only 21,661
bytes were available. Having been
used to seeing anything up to 61 K
available, I was at a loss to know
why (with 128K RAM) the space for

8ITS & BYTES - March 1985 - 25

HflRDwnRC Review

BASIC was so miserly. Then I
discovered the screen display was
page mapped and more than 1 6K set
aside for screen memory as
standard. Together with a com-
prehensive BASIC, plus this video
memory, the BASIC user has very
little room in which to manoeuvre.
What a pity the designers didn't
make better use of the directly
addressable 128K.

Depending on the screen mode
selected, as little as 2048 or as much
as 32,768 bytes are required for
video pages, so the user has some
control over the bytes available in
BASIC.

BASIC programs written in IBM
format ran without problems, but
where graphics were involved, these
ran very slowly. Obviously some
design compromises have been
made in the interests of economy
since you would normally have
expected the 8088 chip running a
standard 4.77Mhz would have been
more efficient with graphics. Colour
fills are especially slow.

Although the review unit had not
been converted to 230v, the screen
was absolutely steady without
flicker even during scrolling. As with
the graphics, writing to the screen is
very slow — 1 000 lines of text (with
line numbers) took 3m 44s to
present. That's about the speed a
mere human can count! You might
agree a $4000 computer should do
better.

Microsoft BASIC provides a good,
workable on-screen editor. On the
Tandy, the cursor changes shape
when the insert mode is selected. A
nice feature.

My benchmark tests showed the
Tandy 1000 is generally accurate
with its arithmetic (finding primes)
and of average speed where only
calculation is required. Anything
involving writing much to the screen
suffered by the slowness of that
procedure.

Speed of disk access was
satisfactory. But during the process,
the clock timing slowed considerably
whereas up to that point it had been
maintaining commendable accuracy.
This needs to be borne in mind if
much use is to be made of the alarm
facility provided with DeskMate. A
moderate amount of disk access
could make you late for your next
appointment.

The publicity claims "90%" IBM
compatability. In my opinion this
factor is becoming less of an issue
when there are so many copies of
the IBM-PC out in the marketplace.
The third party software houses are
now careful to write programs not

26 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

....•.•.■.■.-'.■.'.•.:■.;■:■:-:-:.:.:.:.■:.:■:-:-■:■:•:■■:■:;■:•-■;•.■.■;

.v.v.-. V.W.V.V. \V.'. V

Microcomputer summary

Name:

Manufacturer:
Microprocessor:
Clock speed:
Memory (RAM):
Input/output:

Keyboard:

Display:

Graphics:

VDU:

Languages:

Sound:

Bundled software:

Cost:

Options:
Reviewer's ratings

Tandy 1000.

Tandy Corporation, Fort Worth, Texas.

8088 16-bit with 8-bit data path.

4.7MHz.

128K, upgradable to 640K.

RS-232C, RGB, video, audio, parallel printer, joysticks

(2), 360K disk drive.

90 key, numeric pad, 12 function keys, separate cursor.

24 x 80, 40, or 20; 6 screen modes in BASIC.

Up to 640 x 400; up to 16 colours depending on screen

mode selected.

Optional; TV may be used.

MS-DOS, GW-BASIC supplied.

Inbuilt speaker; full sound control under software.

Spreadsheet, word processing, filing, Telcom, Calculator

and Scheduler (i.e. "DeskMate").

$4085 with green screen monitor, and 1 drive; $4950

with monitor, 2 drives, and SYBIZ accounting package.

Joysticks, light pens, printer interfaces, monitors.

(1 — 5, 5 being highest):

Ease of use: 4, Documentation: 4 (of what was available

at this time), Languages: 5, Support: 5, Expansion: 4,

Value for Money: 4+

IReview machine supplied by Computer Advances Ltd, 182 Great South Rd. Auckland 51.

exclusively specific to the IBM-PC —
that is, they will run on the IBM and a
wide range of IBM work-alikes. Quite
often the software is advertised as
compatible with a stated group of
IBM clones.

All this means is that if there is a
piece of well-known software you
want, there is every likelihood there
is a version which will run on your
MS-DOS computer. (The Wang PC is
an exception to this, but Wang will
sell you an IBM emulator card so that
its machine will do everything the
IBM PC will do.)

As this review was written over
the holiday period, I did not have my
usual access to sample IBM
software, so I am unable to report on
specific applications. However, if a
well established company such as
Tandy claims 90% compatability,
that is probably reassurance enough
— along with your own requests to a
distributor to demonstrate any
particular applications you intend to
use.

The DeskMate package includes
five utilities. It opens with an
interesting and practical menu
format and selection of the required
application is readily achieved.

As a word processing utility, TEXT
comes without bells and whistles,
but is a generally sound program. It
will do most of what the general
letter writer and report writer needs.

The program will not display video
lines longer than 79 characters so
you don't always "see what you
get". On the other hand, wordwrap
is fully automatic so there's none of
that nonsense of manually

reformatting paragraphs after inserts
and deletions.

The whole of the text being
composed is held in memory. This
will fairly quickly put a limit on the
maximum size available for a
document. However, new files can
be opened and then printed using the
merge facility to achieve documents
of any length. I guess the definitive
novel you might be wanting to write
could, in fact, be done on DeskMate
— provided you don't mind
numbering all the pages by hand!

Having all text in memory gives the
considerable advantage that

scrolling through the document is
fast, smooth, and with no breaks for
disk access.

I wrote this review using Text and
found no significant problems apart
from the fact that I didn't like the
ugly character font and the low
resolution letter matrix. In the short
time I had the review machine, I
wasn't able to figure out how to get
white-on-black text. This requires
considerable juggling with com-
binations of four function keys while
the DeskMate menu is on screen.
These keys actually select colour
combinations, but the process is
rather obscure when using a
monochrome monitor.

Filer is a very effective yet modest
program to handle reference infor-
mation, provided you don't want any
arithmetic done on fields. Label
formatting is well done, and sort and
finding is very comprehensive. No
indication is given in the manuals or
on the screen as to the maximum
capacity of files. I suspect the

QUESTION:

What's the difference between

an Accounting Manager
and a Managing Accountant?

ANSWER:

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BITS & BYTES - March 1985 - 27

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limitation may be governed by
available RAM since it appears the
whole of the file is loaded into
memory for any required processing.

Worksheet is quite a useful
spreadsheet — again fairly basic.
However, individual columns can
have different widths set — a feature
not found on some much more
elaborate spreadsheet programs.
Calculating and BREAK redraw the
whole spreadsheet which can slow
things up somewhat.

Calendar, an electronic calendar/
diary, is probably more of. a gimmick
than a desirable necessity. The
"find" parameters could be of some
use. My personal preference is
conventional diary, although the
Tandy version will impress your
visitors.

Some worthwhile uses might be
found for the Mail message recording
facility, but probably only if the
computer is used by several
management operators on a regular
schedule. Otherwise it's just another
gimmick.

Telcom requires an appropriate
modem and would be of interest
when bulletin boards become more
readily available. The utility can also
be used to communicate with other
computers, say in the same building,
by direct lines.

Purchasers of the two-disk version
of the Tandy 1000 will get (for
$4950) the SYBIZ accounting
package claimed to be suitable for
New Zealand small business
conditions, but not available for
review.

In most respects, the Tandy 1000
is a well-presented and well-
functioning package at what is
obviously an attractive price for
people keen to get into the 16-bit
field. I found the review unit
thoroughly reliable and easy to
operate over the short period I had it.

I have discussed the relevance of
colour in my review of the Sanyo
755 (Bits & Bytes, February 1985),
and the same comments apply to the
Tandy 1000 if the colour monitor
option is being considered.

Where I have commented on
slowness of operation, this is just in
relation to other machines I have
worked with (generally at a higher
price), and will not be a serious
disadvantage to many users.

The matter of whether the text
appearance is acceptable will finally
have to be a judgement made by
each prospective purchaser. If you
can live with the Tandy screen, then
the 1 000 is one of the machines you
will want to look at seriously. It could
be good value for money.

28 - BITS & BYTE.3 - March 1985

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TCM BOARD

Built for the engineer

By Peter Ensor

Who says reinventing the wheel
dpes not pay? Delphi, in connection
with Databank, has made available a
single board CP/M computer system
which Databank first proposed and
now uses in-house.

One thing this computer isn't
however. It is not a consumer
product. It is promoted as a board for
the engineer and some technical
knowledge is required to understand
the documentation.

And Delphi will not be selling built-
up systems; it will be selling built-up
boards. The boards will be
assembled and tested because of the
large number of through holes on
them.

At 216mm x 340mm, the board is
the same size as an eight-inch floppy
disk drive. The power requirements
are +5VDC at 1.7A and ±12VDC at
100mA max. The board also
produces a 50Hz clock derived from
the mains frequency, and a 6-9VAC
supply is required for this option.

The main brain on the card is a
Z80A at 4MHz complemented with
up to 1 28K of memory. This memory
is nine bits wide, as parity checking
is implemented as standard. Up to
32K of ROM can be overlaid on this.
Extra support is provided by the
use of a DMA (direct memory
access) chip to speed up
input/output as well as memory
management. A CTC (counter timer
circuit) chip is used to provide vector
interrupt facilities as well as an
interrupt for the real time clock.

Available input/output consists of
two full duplex RS-232 serial
channels using a Z80A SIO (serial
input/output) device. Each channel is

The TCM board.

independently programmed for baud

rate as well as SIO standard

protocols.

The floppy disk controller uses
both 34 and 50-pin connectors. This
allows five and eight-inch drives to
be mixed in any combination to a
maximum of four. Double-sided
drives and double density formats
are also supported.

A 64-pin connector on one side of
the board allows access to the full
Z80 bus. Delphi produces an
interface card that converts the
expansion interface to a STD bus to
allow prototyping.

The final connector on the board is
for the front panel. The front panel is
used for displaying the power on and
status LEDS, as well as providing
four sense inputs and a manual reset

button. The status LED is used
mainly to display the results of the
diaanostics the svstem performs on

XY PLOTTERS

Microcomputer summary

Name:

Manufacturer:

CPU:

RAM:

ROM:

Input/output:

Operating system:

Cost:

Power required:

Extra features:

Options:
Reviewer's ratings

Documentation 5;

TCM.

Delphi Industries, Auckland.

Z80 at 4MHz.

128K with parity checking.

32K.

34 and 50 way connectors for the disk drives; two

RS-232 serial ports; front panel, Z80 expansion bus.

CP/M and its derivatives.

$907.41 including documentation and CP/M 2.2.

1.7A at 5VDC: 100mA MAX AT ± 12VDC; 6-9 VAC

OPTIONAL FOR 50Hz CLOCK.

DMA chip; interrupt driven real time clock; self-test

diagnostics.

STD bus adaptor $267.70 plus sales tax SASI interface.
(5 the best):
Ease of use 3; Value for money 5; support 5; expansion 5.

DXY 980: eight column plotter with

digitizing capability
DXY 880: with hi-level graphics
DXY 800: user-programmable or run

Lotus, Symphony, etc.
DXY 101: Single-pen

FOR • Schools

• Business Graphics

• Advanced Hobbyist-Artist

* CAD, CAM

* Professional user

The Roland range covers them all.

isMbiwiira

ROLAND DG CORPORATION

N. Z. Distribution and Service

Concord Communications Ltd

1 Ngaire Ave, Epsom. Ph (09)
504-046. P.O. Box 36045,
Northcote, Auckland 9.

BITS & BYTES - March 1985 - 29

HARDWARE R€VI€UU

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wXvWvXvWvKwKvIW^^^^

start-up and, if enabled, on cold
boots.

The diagnostics are very
comprehensive. They test all the
main system modules such as the
CPU. DMA controller and serial
interface, as well as making the
standard RAM and ROM tests.
Obviously, these tests can go only so
far but they will identify a major
system fault before the operating
system is loaded.

In addition to these power-up
tests, two more may be selected.

The first is a loop test for the serial
interface. This requires a test plug to

be attached to the board connectors
so that the characters which are sent
can be read back into the input
registers.

The second is a welcome addition
to the line-up. It is a continuous
testing of the system to find those
elusive intermittent faults.

Repair of the board is made easier
by use of signature analysis. The
system has been fingerprinted by the
use of more than 90 signatures of
different parts of the system.
(Signature analysis involves the
reduction of a digital waveform to a
four-character code by the use of

A COMPUTER

TO FIT YOUR
REQUIREMENTS

THE ECONOMIC OPTION FOR
THE SERIOUS ENTHUSIAST.

CD

Economical

Because you purchase the capability you need and have
the facility to add what becomes necessary. The basic
board is priced UNDER 51,000 assembled and tested.

Flexible

What you need is what you get. Available from the basic
board up to a fully configured enclosed unit. Options
include; 8, 16. or 32 slot STD board cage, up to 4 five inch
or eight inch floppy disk drives, cabinet, power supply,
streaming tape, Winchester, CP/M 2.2, CP/M 3, CP/M 2.2
plus (CP/M Plus). New modules can be added at any time.
The basic board carries all necessary expansion inter-
faces and ports.

Powerful

128K bytes RAM with parity checking (No wait states).
Up to 32K Eprom operable in shadow mode to allow use of
the full 64K address space for RAM. CP/M is the operating
system.

For further information and a brochure
write or phone:

deLptei industries Limited

MANUFACTURERS 6 DISTRIBUTORS OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS

27 Ben Lomond Cresc. Pakuranga, Auckland, N.Z

Phone 563-259. Telex: NZ21992. Cables: DIELECTRIC. TCC 4017

30 - BITS S BYTES - March 1985

shift registers and a logic equation.
The four-character code is nearly
unique for any waveform).

Software available for the system
depends on the options specified
when buying the board. It can vary
from none, to CP/M 2.2 and CP/M
PLUS with full documentation. The
BIOS provided makes extensive use
of the many utilities provided in the
ROM. One of its nice touches is the
provision of timeouts on peripherals
such as the printer and disk drives.
This was done so that the use of the
front panel reset button may be kept
to a minimum.

From the documentation, it
appears 1 Databank must use the extra
64K with a real time process while
running CP/M in the other 64K as a
background operation. To have the
reset button used to free the
processor from hangups while
running CP/M, will have a
devastating effect on any real time
process — hence the need to
eliminate the use of the reset button.

Apart from the usual CP/M
programs supplied. Delphi is
including two more.

The first is a program to format
floppy disks. Unfortunately, it
requires the operator to remember
codes for the different options and
get them in the right order on the
command line. While this method is
easier to program and takes up less
code, there are good arguments for
not having to remember codes and
numbers — especially when the
program is seldom used.

The second program reconfigures
the system for different peripherals
or disk densities. Such programs are
great timesavers as the BIOS does
not have to be reassembled every
time the printer's baud rate is
changed, for example.

As mentioned, documentation is
written for a technical reader. The
manuals are being updated, but are
already very comprehensive and well
laid out.

All the hardware is described in full
detail, while the software manuals
limit themselves to the user interface
with the software. All the calls to the
firmware have their descriptions and
parameters well documented but a
listing of the source for each function
would have been appreciated.

As a development system, this
system should too, do well. It will
not be a big seller, as the number of
possible users is more restrictive
than were it aimed at the domestic
market. However, against this gloom
is the price — the assembled and
tested board, with CP/M, sells for
less than $1000 (excluding sales
tax).

SOFTWflR€ R€VI€W

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soMwnMMnw

/n the previous two articles in this series, we reviewed Vision and Symphony as
well as introducing the concept of application software integration and the
productivity increases they are intended to produce. It was also noted that in some
cases, there is more confusion created than productivity. This is due to the
proliferation of features offered by the different products available. In this article, we
look at the product called Framework and its approach to integration.

FRAMEWORK

Best of both worlds

By John J. Vargo

Framework, from Ashton Tate, the
marketer of dBASE II and the new dBASE
III, sets high standards for performance
and ease of use. This new integrated
product offers the best of both worlds
with a tightly integrated suite of
applications packages, yet still allowing
the use of third party and existing
software within the working

environment.

The use of windows is a natural
extension of Framework's outlining
feature which provides an easy way to
organise your thoughts and later access
the thoughts you have had about your
thoughts.

The product gets its name from the
underlying principle of "frames" — there
are "containing frames" (like a file
drawer) which have "frames" (or files)
within them, which may then have "sub-
frames" (documents, spreadsheets etc.)
within them. The "outline" which you
create in the first place provides an easy,
intuitive way to find your way around
your files, and to organise your thoughts
on the fly!

Closely-knit applications packages
include word processing, spreadsheet,
database, graphics, and commun-
ications. A built-in programming
language — called "FRED" - is also
included and you can directly access
dBASE II and III data bases, filtered for
particular records!

Framework is based on an outlining
concept in which the user creates an
outline of the documents he or she has in
mind and the Framework program then
automatically establishes the necessary
"frames" to contain the expected
segments of the documents,
spreadsheets, databases etc. This very
powerful concept is ideal for creative
people, allowing great flexibility in
recording ideas.

The working environment makes
powerful yet comfortable use of
windows allowing the most -intuitive,
and quickest use I have yet seen of this
integrating feature. It is possible to
select a particular file from either a disk
menu or from a previously opened
outline, and then open the file to full size
or a smaller window size to suit your
needs.

The package's ability to run third party
and existing software without leaving
the working environment is a real plus. I

neat! With Lotus, there seemed to be no
loss in performance as Lotus seemed to
take over the system.

I also used the Word-Plus spell checker
in a similar fashion. Unfortunately, it
slowed to a crawl when under the
management of Framework. When run
on its own with a saved text file (another
special feature of Framework which
allows reformatting a "frame" into a
normal text file), Word Plus ran at quite
an acceptable speed. So when using the
DOS "frame" feature check to see the

Sanple Graph

Sales

2600
2466
22Q0H
2000

1800

ju u to toil h M

Figure 2

The sample graph in Figure 2 was generated from the associated spreadsheet in
Figure 7. Simply by highlighting the entries on the sales lines 12000. . .2553),
selecting the bar graph from the GRAPHS menu and selecting DRAW NEW GRAPH
from the same pull-down menu, the main title, X and Y axis titles and the legend were
all automatically produced by Framework.

is not unacceptably

successfully loaded Lotus 1-2-3 from
within Framework, and exited again
without losing my place in the
Framework operating environment. Very

performance
impaired.

Nine pull-down menus are used to
access most of the special features.

Figure 7
Sal es
Cost o-f

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr i 1

May

June

Sal es

Gross Marg i n

Se 1 1 i ng Expenses
Admin. Expenses
Total Expenses

Ne t i ncome

2000
1100

900

440
800

2100
1155

945

462
800

2205
1213

992

485
800

2315
1273

1042

509
800

2431
1337

1094

535

800

2553
1404

1149

562
800

1240
-340

1262
-317

1285
-293

1309
-267

1335
-241

1362
-213

BITS & BYTES March 1985 - 31

SOFTWflR€ R€VI€W

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These nine menus, together with the
special function keys (with appropriate
templates, of course), make Framework
quick and easy to use. The pull-down
menus — "a la Macintosh" — appear on
the top line of the screen this way:

Disk Create Edit Locate Frames Words
Numbers Graphs Print.

Access to these pull-down menus is
via cursor pointing after striking the
insert key, or by using the CTRL key with
the initial letter of the menu. For
example, the key sequence, CTRL W B,
would produce the Word menu and turn
the bold switch to on.

Window manipulation is performed
easily using the special function keys to
DRAG, SIZE, COPY and MOVE the
window around on the screen as well as
move and copy data from one window to
another. Each of these processes
happens very quickly, with little delay
between command execution and
completion.

One of the integrating characteristics
of this program is that the special
features of the operating environment
are available to all applications. For
example, all the word processing
features, including bold, underlining and
italic, may be used freely in the
spreadsheet to stylise the document.
The locate function may be used for
numbers or text in the spreadsheet, word
processor or database.

This makes the ease of use and
functionality of the program

outstanding. Although the use of the
common features is not universal (for
example it is not possible to do
computations from within a "word
frame"), the level of integration is still
quite impressive.

The writers of this program have
chosen to use high resolution graphics in
black and white, and use colour only in
the graphs when set to full size. This
way be a disappointment to some as it
was in the Lisa/Macintosh, but the effect
of the high res graphics in black and
white is still quite good, and it shows
there are still some limits to the current
technology.

The Framework integrated environ-
ment also has a built-in spooling feature
to allow continued use of the program
even when a document is printing. Like
other packages with a similar feature,
performance is affected depending on
what else you are doing. Perhaps when
the likes of the IBM-AT are more readily
available, the additional power will mean
true multi-tasking in micros without a
substantial decrease in performance.

The hardware
requirements

Framework has managed to include all
these features in a tightly configured
package which requires only 256K of
memory and two floppy disk drives. The
programs themselves are on four disks,
including a tutorial disk and a utilities
disk, In effect, only two working disks
are required in normal operation. One of

32 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

these is Prolock protected so that it
cannot be copied (a backup is included
with the package) in a useable form.

Even though only 256K of RAM is
required to run the package, this does
not leave a tremendous amount of
working space for actual document or
spreadsheet creation — enough for
about 12 pages of text or a 500-cell
worksheet. The size of the working
space is strictly limited by the amount of
memory — the more memory the more
working space. At 51 2K RAM, there is
room for about 73 pages of text or a
spreadsheet of 3000 cells (or some
combination of these together with other
applications e.g. graphics, database and
communications.

It seems the authors of the package
(and other similar packages) are planning
to take advantage of the dropping
memory prices and generally larger
memories becoming available with the
newer 16 and 32-bit processor-based
machines. No hard disk is required, nor
does the package support special input
devices like the mouse or light pen in its
current configuration.

In addition, the package provides
support for the 8087 math co-processor
which for, some applications, could
substantially increase the spreadsheet's
computational performance. The
package provides a great deal of facility
for a relatively low hardware
requirement.

Word processing

When starting in the word processing
environment, it is necessary to create an
empty "word frame" which then acts as
the file for your document. This word
processor has all of the usual functions
allowing bold, underline, and italics
(although subscript and superscript do
not appear to be supported at present).
These special features appear on screen
just as they will appear on the printer,
assuming your printer supports all the
features. This is in contrast to displaying
control characters to indicate what
feature is in effect.

This may seem unimportant, but if you
have ever forgotten one bold control
character in WordStar and have seen the
whole document come out bold, you will
appreciate the onscreen display of
special features — what you see is what
you get!

Search and replacement of text can be
done for one instance only or the
document as a whole. Included in the
search capability is the ability to use wild
cards in the word or phrase for which
you are searching. If you are not sure

Spreadsheet

The Framework spreadsheet has many
nice features, most notably the
availability of the bold, underline and
italic features from the word processor,
and the presence of a complete
programming language called FRED. As
would be expected, the spreadsheet
includes all the usual capabilities for
formula creation, special formatting for
dollars and cents, percentage etc, and
column width adjustment and so on.
Framework uses the operating
environments, MOVE and COPY special
function keys, within the spreadsheet to
achieve those features.

String handling functions are readily
available using the LOCATE menu search
functions, again common to the other
application packages.

In the use of "macros" within the
spreadsheet, there is wide flexibility with
the FRED language to create quite
sophisticated automated features. To

how you have mis-spelled a word, or the
exact words used in a phrase, you may
use two special characters (? and ") as a
substitute for any single unknown
character or group of characters. This
feature is also available in the other
applications. By the use of a "containing
frame", a spreadsheet or graph may
easily be included in an integrated
document.

Formatting the document or segments
of the document is easily accomplished
using the WORDS menu which allows
easy changes in margins, indentation,
and justification etc. The use of
boilerplate text is very useful in any word
processor. Framework uses the
"macro" function, assigning a series of
keystrokes to one ALT-key sequence
(holding the ALT key and A down at the
same time equals ALT-A). You can
create a library of your most often used
words, phrases or paragraphs with each
unique example assigned to one ALT-
key. You need then type only the ALT-
-key pair and the associated character
string appears.

use the automatic macro learning
facility, you must step out of the
spreadsheet environment and create a
macro library. In some cas.es, this is a
good organisational technique yielding a
designed and controlled library of
macros. In other cases, it may cramp the
style of the more spontaneous
spreadsheet user.

The spreadsheet makes use of a
special function key (F2) for formula
creation using cursor pointing. I found
this a bit hard to get used to at first,
since most other packages allow the
creation of a formula with cursor
pointing by using any number or operator
as the first character of the formula.

Another unusual feature is the need to
specify the size of the spreadsheet
before you start. The package assumes
you will be using a 14 x 14 matrix, and
anything larger must be specified.
However, it is easy enough to add rows

SOFTWARE R€VI€W

or columns as needed while working on a
a spreadsheet. This is what I ended up
doing, rather than trying to figure out my
precise needs ahead of time. After a
while I got used to these idiosyncrasies
and found the application easy enough to
use.

Framework uses an interesting feature
for formula references. The option is
available to reference every cell by a
name automatically assigned based on
the text in the column heading and the
text in the first column of the row. For
example, in a spreadsheet with the
months, January to December, heading
columns B, C . . . M and the account
titles for sales, cost of sales, and gross
margin in rows 1, 2, and 3, you could
then use:

B2-B3 = B4 (the normal cell referencing
system)

or
January. Sales-January. Cost of sales
for the formula to compute the gross
margin. In both cases, cursor pointing
could be used and the cell references
would appear automatically. The choice
of presentation is toggled by the use of a
special character (the I). A very handy
feature, it makes reading formulas much
easier, without having to go through the
process of actually naming the cells.

This product also makes extensive use
of the capability to reference from one
spreadsheet to other related

spreadsheets within the same containing
frame. This does not increase the
potential size of the spreadsheets
allowed, but does enhance the ability to
organise the data in a more coherent
manner.

Sorting of data is easily accomplished
by the working environment's LOCATE
menu which allows ascending or
descending sorts on character strings
and numbers in all applications. If you
want to sort on more than one index
(column) it is necessary to do them one
at a time in the order you want.

Database
processing

The database processing module in
Framework feels like an extension of the
spreadsheet, and is largely just that. This
may have been intentional on the part of
the authors since Framework will read
directly from dBASE II and dBASE III
files, and is expected to be used as an
extension rather than a replacement of
those -packages. The database will
exchange information readily with a
spreadsheet and computed data can be
linked from associated spreadsheets.

Searching the database uses the same
simple but effective features of the
operating environment described in the
word processing section. By using the
LOCATE menu, it is possible to search
either individual fields or the entire
database for particular data. It is also
possible to replace the information
searched for (e.g. all employees with
payrate $5.20 now to be S5.70). In this

basic form, the program does not give all
the logical search criteria allowed with
other full feature DBMSs but would be
quite acceptable for many applications
and requires little special training. With
the use of the built-in FRED programming
language, this can be largely overcome.
Creating mailing labels or including
some information from a database into a
form letter is possible using FRED. In this
particular case, the Framework authors
have already included a library of useful
utilities on the utilities disk, including a
mailing label program and a mailmerge
program.

Graphics

I found the graphics program very easy
to use and the menu selections self-
explanatory. To create a graph you first

select a range of cells from either a
database or a spreadsheet. Having
selected the appropriate cells with the
EXTEND SELECT key (F6) you choose
the required type from the GRAPHS
menu. Then choose the "draw new
graph" selection from the same menu
and the graph is drawn for you.

Item identification is automatically
selected from the database field names
or spreadsheet column headings,
although this can be overridden. You can
then modify the graph by adding titles to
the X or Y axis, change the scaling
(which is automatically assigned) or
cause the pie chart to be an exploded pie
chart. Graph types allowed include bar,
stacked bar, pie, line, X-Y, or marked
points.

Since no colour is used, all sections
use cross hatching for differentiation.
There is also a special option allowing

New From Ashton-Tate

FRAMEWORK

Framework represents a whole new
generation of microcomputer software.
It's the logical step beyond spreadsheet-
based integrated software, Framework is

the software for people who work
in words and ideas, as well as numbers.

You don't have to learn Framework.

If you're a thinker, you already know

how to use it.

ASHTONTATE

Framework. rorThinkers.

Distributed by:

CnmP UTER
— -L J- I I J

35

STDRE

Framework. Framework.

For Thinkers., Friday!.

and Ashton-Tate are

trademark* oi Ashton-Tate.

Contact your local dealer for more information or write to:
Computer Store, Freepost 907, P.O. Box 31-261, Auckland 9.

BITS & BYTES - March 1985 - 33

SOFTWRR6 R€VI€UJ

:-:-;vX-x-x:-x-Xv::*x:v>x

additional graph overlays using a line
graph or marked point graph to overlay
existing graphs.

A surprise feature was the use of colon
in the graphs when set to full size —
undocumented plus.

Communications

Framework also includes a full feature
telecommunications program which can
be run either in conjunction with the
Framework application packages (e.g. to
capture data from an external source into
a database), or separately in a
standalone configuration. The com-
munications package allows auto dial
and auto answer.

The system comes preconfigured for
the most usual requirements in US
terms, but may require new macros to be
written to automate some of the more
tedious procedures for the New Zealand
environment. The manual includes
detailed instructions for configuring
Dow-Jones access, including the
capture of Dow-Jones data into a
spreadsheet. Sample instructions are
given for setting up and sending mail via
Telemail electronic mail system.

Summary

Framework will undoubtedly be one of
the serious contenders in the "integrated
products" sweepstakes. It has an
excellent general purpose word
processor, good graphics, a very useful
outlining feature, acceptable database
and a good but slow spreadsheet. The
package really shines in the area of
window manipulation and general speed
(which unfortunately does not extend to
the spreadsheet). As with most
packages, there are other features.

Framework is a very nice package and,
in spite of its many features, is not
complicated to learn. It allows the
prospective user to use the more
sophisticated features allowed by the
built-in programming language as he or
she wants.

Soaring Sanyo

The Sanyo MBC-550 is smashing
computer production records in
Japan for the Sanyo Electric
Company.

Sanyo, a major manufacturer and
exporter of electronic equipment and
home appliances for many years,
began exporting its computers just
over three years ago. After exporting
28,000 of the 35,000 personal
computers, it produced in 1983,
Sanyo trebled its 1 984 production to
100,000, and intends trebling that
again to 300,000 units this year.

A recent survey (by Arthur Hoby &
Associates) of micro-buying in New
Zealand ranked Sanyo third in
volume sales.

PROGRAMS

MOMMmMOOMMflHNmDmHONHHHHHmwm^^

CAT

Life Saver

Milo Davies

By

This program is for the Cat without
emulator cartridge. The object of the

i

game is to catch paratroopers falling
from the sky, while avoiding heat-
seeking missiles. Full instructions are
included in the program, Milo's highest
score is 243.

HOME : PRINT " LIFE SAVER"

2 PRINT : PRINT "IN LIFE SAVER YOU HAVE TO CATCH THE "

3 PRINT "FALLING PARATROOPERS AND SAVE THEM FROM"

4 PRINT "GETTING EATEN BY SHARKS IN THE WATER. "

5 PRINT : PRINT "YOU START WITH 3 MEN, AND WHEN THE 3"

6 PRINT "ARE USED UP IT IS GAME OVER."

7 PRINT : PRINT "SOMETIMES YOU WILL GET A HEAT SEEKING"

8 PRINT "MISSILE WHICH WILL FOLLOW YOU, KEEP AWAY"

9 PRINT "THEY HAVE A LONG RANGE."

10 PRINT : PRINT "LOOKOUT FOR ? THEY GIVE A MYSTERY BONUS. "

11 PRINT : INPUT "PRESS RETURN TO CONTINUE" ; WE*

12 HOME : PRINT "OBJECT IMAGE"

13 PRINT : PRINT "MISSILE *"

14 PRINT "MYSTERY BONUS ?"

15 PRINT "PARATROOPER";: HTAB 18: INVERSE : PRINT " ": NORMAL

16 PRINT "YOU "

17 PRINT : PRINT "THE KEYS ARE - - AND - P" FOR LEFT AND"

18 PRINT "RIGHT"

87 PRINT : INPUT "PRESS RETURN TO BEGIN";AS*

88 HIGHT = 1

90 Y = 20

91 TEXT NORMAL , , BLUE

99 M = 3

100 IF S > 30 THEN HIGHT =4: IF S > 60 THEN HIGHT =7: IF S > 100 THEN HIGHT =
10: IF S > 140 THEN HIGHT = 12: IF S .'■ 180 THEN HIGHT ■ 15

101 P = INT (5 + RND <1> * 30):TG =

102 LET TG = INT ( RND (1) » 10)

103 HOME

104 IF TG < 2 THEN CD = 2

105 IF TG > 8 THEN CD = 1

106 IF TG = 2 OR TG = 3 OR TG = 4 OR TG = 5 OR TG = 6 OR TG = 7 OR TG = 8 THEN
CD = 3

107 FOR H

108

HIGHT TO 20
IF S = 100 OR S = 150 OR S = 200 OR S = 250 OR S = 300 THEN GOTO 500

130 VTAB 20: HTAB Y: PRINT " "

131 IF CD = 2 THEN VTAB H: HTAB P: PRINT »?": GOTO 149

132 IF CD = 1 THEN VTAB H: HTAB P: PRINT "*": GOTO 141
140 VTAB H: HTAB P: INVERSE : PRINT " "

Y + 3 THEN S = S + INT < F.ND (1

34 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

NORMAL

IF CD < > 1 THEN GOTO 149

IF Y + 2 > PTHEN P = P ♦ 5

IF Y ♦ 2 < P THEN P = P - 5

IF P > 39 THEN P = 1

IF P < 1 THEN p = 39

149 I* = ""

150 IF PEEK < - 16384) > 127 THEN GET I*
IF I* = "" THEN 180
IF I* = "O" THEN Y = Y - 4
IF I* = "S" THEN GOSUB 1000
IF I* = "P" THEN Y = Y + 4
VTAB 20: PRINT »
IF Y > 39 THEN Y <• 1
IF Y < 1 THEN Y = 36
VTAB 22: PRINT "SCORE=";S
VTAB 23: PRINT "MEN=";M
VTAB H: PRINT "
NEXT H

IF CD < > 2 THEN GOTO 212

IF P ■ Y OR P = Y + 1 OR P = Y + 2 OR P _
) » 20): SOUND 10,10, 1,12: GOTO 100'""
IF CD < > 1 THEN GOTO 220
IFP = Y-4 0RP = Y-3 0RP = Y-2 0RP = Y-"10RP = Y0RP = Y + 10

RP = Y + 2 0RP = Y«-3 0RP = Y + 4 0RP = Y + 5 0RP = Y + 6 0RP = Y + 7 THE
N GOTO 222

215 S = S + 2: SOUND 10,10,1,12: GOTO 100

220 IFP=Y0RP=Y+10RP=Y+2 0RP=Y*3 THEN S = S + 1: SOUND 10, 1
0, 1, 12: GOTO 100

222 SOUND 30,40,1,12

223 M = M - 1: IF M < O THEN GOTO 250

230 VTAB 22: HTAB 15: PRINT "YOU HAVE LOST A MAN": HTAB 15: INPUT "PRESS RETUR

N"; EXTRA*

IF M > =0 THEN 260

HOME : VTAB 10: HTAB 15: FLASH : PRINT "GAME OVER": NORMAL

VTAB 12: HTAB 15: PRINT "SCORE=";S

VTAB 14: HTAB 15: PRINT "1> ANOTHER GAME": VTAB 15: HTAB 15: PRINT "2) QUI

T": I* - ""

VTAB lu: HTAB 20: GET I*: IF I* = "1" THEN RUN

IF I* = "2" THEN HOME : END
GOTO 253

GOTO 100
500 VTr.B 22: HTAB 15: PRINT "YOU HAVE ANOTHER MAN!": VTAB 23: HTAB 15: INPUT

PRESS RETURN TO CONT INUE" ; AAAA*: M = M * 1:S = S + 1: GOTO 101

IS - ""
1010 IF PEEK ( - 16384) > 127 THEN GET I*

[| l: »S» T:IEn RETURN
I • ' GOTO 1000

141
142
143
144
145
146

155
160
161
170

171
1B0
190
191
192
200
201
202
211

212
213

240
250
251

253
254

260

More programs: page 38

Learning with Logo

By Ross Poison

€DUCRTION

A large number of people must now be
using Logo and it's time we started
sharing ideas.

A very user-friendly language, Logo's
appeal stems from its graphics abilities
and the closeness of its commands to
everyday English:
TO SQUARE

FORWARD 30 RIGHT 90
FORWARD 30 RIGHT 90
FORWARD 30 RIGHT 90
FORWARD 30 RIGHT 90
END

Logo was invented as a teaching
language, aimed especially at school
students. It helps their knowledge of
computers, their mathematical and
language skills, and their problem-
solving techniques. Large concepts can
be broken up into small pieces, so big
problems become small problems. This
makes Logo a very stimulating
environment, as each person can learn at
his or her own level.

Most people begin learning Logo
through the famous turtle — a screen
copy of a robot drawing device shaped
like a turtle. Because the turtle behaves
like a very obedient human, the new
programmer can quickly draw complex
and fascinating designs:
TO DESIGN :X
FORWARD :X RIGHT 91
DESIGN :X+2
END

TO NOTHER. DESIGN
REPEAT 36 IREPEAT 5 [FORWARD 40
RIGHT 144||
END

Yet there are many other facets of
Logo just as worthy of investigation.
Logo handles words and lists (strings),
manipulates and calculates numbers,
and controls peripherals like a fully-
fledged language.
MAKE "MESSAGE [THIS IS A LIST IN
LOGOI

PRINT :MESSAGE
MAKE "XI

REPEAT 6 KPRINT :X ITEM :X :MESSAGE)
MAKE "X :X+1|

Logo is probably best learned from a
book or manual (see bibliography) but it
can be instructive to experiment with
your own ideas and let the error
messages be a guide.

To start with the message, "I DON'T
KNOW HOW TO UP" means you
understand the command "UP" but
Logo doesn't. It can be frustrating until
you read "NOT ENOUGH INPUTS TO
FORWARD". Now you realise you have
hit on a command which Logo
understands but you don't. It is a lot like
an adventure game.

Here are some of the turtle
"primitives":

FORWARD BACK

RIGHT CLEAN

SHOWTURTLE HIDETURTLE

SETPOS SETX

TOWARDS PENUP

PENERASE DOT

LEFT

CLEARSCREEN

SETHEADING

SETY

PENDOWN

XCOR

YCOR

SETSCRUNCH HEADING

SETBG SETPC REPEAT

HOME FENCE WRAP

WINDOW

Logo can provide a centre for many
teaching activities. To start with,
though, young children especially should
"play turtle" — pretend they are robots
and follow instructions. They can
therefore "occupy the position of" the
turtle and so "reconstruct a perspective
point of view" — that of the turtle.
(Piagets' idea.) Then it is time to go to
the computer and see if they can create
the list of commands to make the screen
robot do the same.

Have you wanted to get a little sound
into your Logo routines? PRINT CHAR 7
will beep the Apple (it is a CTRL G). And
here is a little CLICK:
TO CLICK

MAKE "C EXAMINE 49200
MAKE "C -EXAMINE 49200
END

("Examine" is the equivalent to BASIC'S
PEEK, and address 49200 is the Apple
speaker.)

The beauty of it is that once your Logo
turtle can click, it can buzz or rumble or
send morse or. . .
TO BUZZ :M
REPEAT :M ICLICKI
END

TO A

ARCR 100 18

END

TO STOREX&Y
MAKE "X XCOR
MAKE "Y YCOR
END

TO RESETX&Y
SETX :X
SETY :Y
END

TO SOUND DESIGN

TO REPEAT 20 (A CLICK STOREX&Y

SETPOS |0 0] PU CLICK RESETX&Y PD

BUZZ 51

END

And just for fun:
TO TELEPHONE
REPEAT 2 [BUZZ 20 WAIT 20|
WAIT 30
TELEPHONE
END

This brings us to recursion, a powerful
idea in Logo. Notice in TELEPHONE that
the final command in the procedure is
itself — or more correctly another
procedure identical to itself. So after the
telephone BUZZes and WAITs, it calls a
copy of itself, which calls a copy, which
calls a copy. . .until you answer the
phone with a CTRL G! (I wonder how the
screen could show a "telephone"
message when you "answer"?)

Recursion is worth a lot of study and
experimentation. Some introductory
ideas can be gained by looking at a mirror
through a small hole in another mirror. Or
pointing a video camera at the TV to
which it is connected. Even a "feeding-
back" amplifier or the Russian
"Petrushka" dolls shows the recursive

involve ideas of
impossible to

concept. These al
infinity, a place
demonstrate.

Where a computer is involved, of
course, the impossible becomes
possible. The turtle can be told to start a
design which would take forever to
complete. A square can be drawn thus:
TO SQUARE
FORWARD 60 RIGHT 90
SQUARE
END

The problem is that the poor turtle
doesn't know when to stop. The first
DESIGN procedure above uses recursion
but with the added dimension of growth.
The variable, :X, is incremented by two
each time the procedure is called. A
suitable stopping place can be created by
using IF:
TO DESIGN :X
FORWARD :X RIGHT 91
IF :X<250 ISTOP]
DESIGN :X + 2
END

Try DESIGN with various numbers. Try
altering the amount of turn or the
stopping condition.

There must be lots of ideas being tried
out, on many different machines. So
send them into Bits & Bytes and share
them. If you have any questions about
Logo, I will try to find the answers.

Has anyone found the way of sending
the Logo pictures to a Super-5, CP80
printer? The Super-5 is supposed to
behave like an Epson, but I haven't found
the formula yet.

Here are some books and magazines
you may find useful:

• Mindstorms — Children, Computers
and Powerful Ideas, by Seymour Papert,
published by The Harvester Press.

•Learning Logo on the Apple II, by
McDougal, Adams and Adams,
published by Prentice-Hall.

•Logo in Electronic Learning, March
1983, vol. 2, no. 6, published by
Scholastic Inc.

•Exploring New Horizons with Logo in
Electronic Learning, April 1983, vol. 2,
no. 7, published by Scholastic Inc.

•The Computing Teacher — special
Logo issue — December/January
1983-84, vol. 11, no. 5. The Journal of
the International Council for Computers
in Education.

Logo is available for Apple, BBC, Poly
and Commodore 64 computers.

Ross Poison is very interested in
learning from others interested in Logo
application. You can write to him at:
13 Gibbs Drive,
Woodend.

Sanyo portable

The price for the standard model of
the Sanyo portable, reviewed in the
February issue of Bits & Bytes, has
been increased to $5295 from
$4995.

BITS & BYTES March 1985 - 35

TheNewPrinten

Star is a manufacturer with over thirty-five
years of proven expertise in micro-
precision technology. Our NC
(numerically controlled) lathes, for
example, create precision parts for
manufacturers around the globe. Today's
modern cameras, watches and VCRs
depend upon Star's proprietary skills and
technology for much of their ultra-high
precision components. Printers do, of
course, use microcomputers. But unlike
computers, printers must have moving
parts since they are basically mechanical
machines. No amount of experience in
computers can be a substitute for
experience in creating precise and
reliable parts.

36 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

New improved products still ot the

some old prices!

Check out these new features for yourself.

* True Near Letter Quality

* Print memory buffer

1 0" 2K Bytes Expandable 6K Bytes with optional buffer board.
15" 16K Bytes

* IBM Switchable

* 20% improvement in throughput.

vj^- All the usual features

— Friction and Tractor Feed

— Character mode option & character set choices

— Parallel & serial interfaces

— Software compatibility
for all Star Gemini Delta
and Radix series

printers

Distributed by:

Genisis Systems Ltd.

65 Huia Road, Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand
P.O. Box 6255, Auckland 1, New Zealand
Phone 27-67349 Telex 2814 (Rocket)

Please send me more information , — .

on the new Starprinter I I

Please send me the name of my . — ■

nearest Stardealer I I

Name

Address

Phone

BITS & BYTES - March 1985 - 37

PROGRAMS

xxxv^-i^XwX-:-:':-:-:-:^:':':*:-:-:-.^:':'-:':':-;;':-:-:-:-:-:-:-;-.-.';';'

SEGA

Cassette Liners

By Bryn Holland

This utility program prints liners to use
in cassette cases, complete with a tape
number and spaces to write the contents
of side A and B of the cassette.

13 CLS:REri: CASSETTE FILE

28 LPRINT CHRSC18) :LPRINT"L0"

30 LPRINT"D17i3,0" :LPRINT"f195,0"

10 LPRINT"L6' :LPRINT"D95,-505"

58 LPRINT , '|115S.0"

G0 l.PRINT'L6":LPRINT"DI55,-505"

70 LPRINT "ff0,-?>05'

80 LPRINT"L8":LPRlN:"D<170,-505 ,,

90 LPRihT-niai i ■ RINT"S4"

-,0a LPRlNT"01"iLPR!NT'PSE6P *"

I :a I PRINT"ril20, • 200" :LPRiNT"Sl "

!28 INPUT "INSERT TOPE NUrlBER " ;N*

130 LPRINT"PPROGRAM TAPE NUHBER " ;N*

140 LPRINT"p1150,-100"tLPRINT"S]":LPRIN

T"QJ"

1100 DA1A21S, -505, 195,0
1110 DPTftl 95, -505, 175,0
1120 DPT0175, -505, 75,0
1130 DATA75,- 505, 55,0
1140 nWTft55, -505, 35,0
:i50 DOTA35, -505, 15,0
1160 0*1*15,-505,470,-250
1170 DOT.4155,-250,95,-250
1180 DRT 08,-258, 0,0
2000 END

;T2

150 LPRINT"PSIDE A

168 LPRINT"PSIDE B

INT"L3"

178 FOR 1*1 TO 20

180 REfW XI i fl

190 LPRINT "D : ■

200 READ X2, r?

210 LPRINT "tT'iX2;

220 NEXT 1

380 LPRINT"*" :GOTO 2000

990 0*1*435. 505,415,0

1380 D0TA415, -505, 395,0

1010 0*1*395,-505,375,2

1820 DPT A375,- 505, 355,0

1030 DATA355, -505, 335,0

1048 DAT0335, -585, 315,0

1058 DMA315, -505, 295,0

I860 DAT0295, 585.275,0

1073 D*T*2?5,-505,i

1 080 0flTfi255,- 505,235,0

I0S8 D*TA235.-505,/

:LPRINT"M50,-350"
:LPR1NT"PH35,3":LPR

it]

5IDE *

SIDE 3

SEGA

X °R03RAP TAPE sunaER e
"

SPECTRUM

Snake

by Miguel Scotter

In this game, you are a snake — and
must eat power packs and avoid trees,
while sliding down a mountain. Full
instructions are given in the program.

1 OVER 0: FLASH 0: PAPER 7: I
NK l: BORDER 1: RESTORE ! GO SUB

1000: OVER 0: BORDER 1: CLS : P
RINT AT 10,10! INK It FLASH li"
SNAKE'

2 PRINT AT 13,10! INK 1 i " By M
IGUEL SCOTTER

SPECIAL OFFER

Buy a Dick Smith "CAT' Computer, Disk Drive and Controller (Normally S2039.95).
and get the EMULATOR CARTRIDGE (worth $149.95) FREEH! - Plus, since we prefer
round figures, our price to you is just $2000.00

CALL OR WRITE TO:

KANE AGENCIES LTD ES»

Orders despatched promptly, FREIGHT FREE. Visa, Bankcard Accepted.

■■■■'••■■■■■■■■•■■■■■■■•■■'■■■••

- : PRINT TAB 2! IN

K 1! "Dodge the trees in the -fore
st while Ueeping your energy
iting energy packs : ,C

-gy pj
change colour wh
is low. It gets
go. l = le-ft 2=ri

up by eat

HRS 145! ".You

en your energy

harder as you

ght": PRINT TAB 8! INK 2i "PRESS

A KEY": PAUSE

3 FOR a=0 TO 10: PAUSE 10: BE
EP .01,-20: PRINT AT a, 14! INK
! " ! ": NEXT a

4 CLS : PRINT AT 10,10! INK 2
! FLASH 1!" BOOM ! ": FOR A=5
TO 39 STEP -l: BEEP . 1,A! NEXT

a: beep 1,-10

5 PAUSE 100

19 LET t*=CHR* 144+CHRS 144: L
ET p=10: LET e=100: LET z=0: LET

aS=CHR» 124: CLS : INK 0: LET a
= 15

20 PRINT AT 10,a!aS: LET z=z+l
30 LET r=INT (RND*6) : LET v=33

-LEN <t*>: IF r<>2 THEN POKE 23
692,255: PRINT AT 21,0: PRINT TA
B INT <RND*v>! INK 4;t*

35 IF r=2 THEN POKE 23692,255
: PRINT AT 21,0: PRINT TAB INT (
INK 2!CHRS 145

(10, a) =60 THEN GO

(10, a) =53 THEN LET
BEEP .01,20: BEEP .05,21

INK 5
INK

RND*v) !

40 IF ATTR
TO 100

41 IF ATTR
e=100:

: GO TO 76

45 LET e=e-l: LET a»=CHR* 124:
IF e=0 THEN GO TO 90: IF e=10
THEN INK 5

50 IF e=25 THEN

51 IF e>25 THEN
55 BEEP .003,-20

60 IF INKEY*="1" THEN LET a*=
"/": IF a>0 THEN LET a=a-l

65 IF INKEY*="2" THEN LET aS=
*\": IF a<31 THEN LET a=a+ 1

70 IF ATTR (10, a) =60 THEN
TO 100

72 IF ATTR (10,a)=53 THEN
e=100: BEEP .01,20: BEEP .05,21

76 IF z=200 OR z=400 OR z=600
OR z=1000 OR z=2000 THEM
=tS*CHPS 144

77 LET mig=0
30 GO TO 20

100 PRINT AT 10, a! z

105 BEEP 1,-50: PAUSE 01

110 GO TO 10

1000 FOR a=0 TO 7:

USR "a"+a,b: NEXT

1010 FOR a=0 TO 7:

USR "b"+a,b: NEXT a

2000 DATA BIN 0001 1000, BIN 00011

100, BIN 00111000.BIN 00011110, BI

N 01111000.BIN 00011111, BIN 1111

1000, BIN 00011000

2010 DATA 0,BIN 00011000.BIN 001

11100, BIN 00111100.BIN 00111100,

BIN 00011000.BIN 00011000,0

2020 RETURN

GO
LET

LET t*

PAUSE

READ b: POKE
READ b: POKE

Buy books
this month

BMC Monitors Stock Clearance

• Fully Compatible

• 12 inch 15MHz Green Phosphor

• Good Resolution

• 80 Characters x 24 lines

ONLY

$229.00 each*

(incl Sales Tax)

+ $2.50
freight, packaging & insurance

Name . .
Address

Enclosed a cheque for

To INFOTRON SYSTEMS Ltd
P.O. Box 11-764
WELLINGTON

38 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

Einstein Scientific end The Computer EHperience

present The Greet

RITEMAN PLUS

As advertised in COMPUTE'S GAZETTE' the RITEMAN
PLUS' is the choice of people who can't afford to say "Price is
no object."

Whether you own a Commodore 64, Atari, Spectravideo,
Apple, TRS80 or IBM the RITEMAN is an excellent choice.
At our special sale price of $695 we ask you to compare the
RITEMAN PLUS with other printers that you have considered
for your computer.

If you've been looking for a rugged, versatile, dot-matrix
printer, you're probably confused by the variety of prices,
quality claims and specifications quoted by each manufacturer.
When you've narrowed down your choices, here are a few hints
to help you decide which printer is best for you.

• How many characters per second will it print?

• Does it run continuous as well as cut sheet?

• Will it print italics, underline, and run in a compressed 132
column mode?

• How much does the ribbon cost?

• How does the price compare with the competition?

Check the features. We think you'll find that there is really no
comparison. . . Riteman. Everything you ever wanted in a
printer. . .for less. We have only 70 printers nationwide at the
special price of $695 and they won't last long at this price.
Terms: Cash, Cheque, Bankcard, Visa and H.P. terms are
available.

sPECiFiCfvnnns

Print Method

Serial impact dot matrix, 9x9.

Print Head

9 wires (user replacable).

Print head life expectancy: 100 million characters. A 100% duty

cycle (the capability to run continuously).

Print Speed

Correspondence quality printing 120 cps uni or bi-directional.

Logic seeking.
Graphic Bit Image

Standard horizontal density of 480 dots, double density of 960

dots per line.

Continuous Underline

You can underline with just one pass of the print head instead of

two.

Paper Feed

a. Adjustable snap-on tractor feed (10cm - 25.5cm) (optional).

b. Friction feed (10cm - 25.5cm).

c. Pin platen (24 cm).

You can use cut sheets, fan fold or pin feed paper.

Printer Sake

SALE PRICE $
SflUE S25D

Character Set

Full 96-character ASCII with true lower case descenders. 96

italic characters. 32 block graphic characters.

Printing Mode

a. Standard, b. Double Strike.

c. Emphasised, d. Double Emphasized.

e. Italics, f. Superscripts and Subscripts, g. Expanded.

h. Compressed, i. Compressed/expanded.

Tab

Horizontal tab to 28 positions per line.
Buffer Size 1 line standard.

a. in case of pica-80 characters.

b. in case of compressed — 132.

c. in case of expanded — 40.

d. Bit graphics image mode — 480.
Interface

Centronics 8 bit parallel (standard).

Serial Interface (Option)

300-900 baud. Easy access to dip switches.

Ink Ribbon

Reinking compact black ribbon cassette. Easily replacable and

low cost. Ribbon life expectancy: 1,000,000 characters.

Einstein

SCIENTIFIC LTD

The computer world
made simple.

EINSTEIN SCIENTIFIC
177 Willis Street
WELLINGTON
Phone 844-353

EINSTEIN SCIENTIFIC
D.I.C. Store
Garden Place
HAMILTON
Phone 81-969

EINSTEIN SCIENTIFIC
154 Broadway Avenue
PALMERSTON NORTH
Phone 64-1 08

EINSTEIN SCIENTIFIC

D.I.C. Store

Shop 41, 1st Floor

Cashfields Mall, Cashel St.

CHRISTCHURCH

Phone 66-442

EINSTEIN SCIENTIFIC
Cnr King & Egmont Sts.
NEW PLYMOUTH
Phone 85-528

THE COMPUTER EXPERIENCE

James Smith Store

Cuba Street

WELLINGTON

Phone 736-777

PROGRAMS

•■">x*:*>>x««*xw*K*x*:*:

ZX81

Pattern Maker

By Andrew Joll

This 1K program will print a pattern
which scrolls up the screen. You input a
random number between 1 and 10 to
determine the width of the pattern. The
characters used in the pattern can be
altered by changing line 10. To SAVE the
program, enter GOTO 120.

PHTTERM PR06HBH FOB THE IK ZMM ,
BY fiNCREU JOLL -
1 LET HS=""

5 INPUT ft »— _- ,

6 IF h<1 OR RJlB THEN BOTO 1

IB LET B«^"BB "

11 FRST

12 FOR 1=1 TO B
15 LET B*=HS->B«
IS NEXT I

15 SI-OI.I

20 LET BP-t3a-UEN

if FOR T=0 TO RP

il KSfrSwe r : m

70 NEXT I

SO FOR I=flP to a

ss scroll

90 print trb i;»j

100 NEXT I
ill |gjg *?«TTEBB"
t&38 1=M CC.flRJ:^*

characters. To print your message on a
printer, press any key.

If you have less than 8K memory,
change the 4096 in line 20 to 7680. If
you do not have a printer, change line 70
to 70 GOSUB 50 and omit lines 80-1 10.

mi) i

STEP -1

VIC 20

Signwriter

By Alastair Brown

This program will print a message
entered by the user in large letters. Enter
a message, and the computer will count
from to 7 as it converts it, and then
print it on the screen in 8 by 4

10 PRINT" TCHR*<14> "MUM 'VINPU
Tfi$:fi*=L.EFT$<R$+" %31)

29 FORT=0TG7 : F0RK= 1 TOLEN ( A* ) ■ PR
INT"a"MIBf(fl*..K,l)T:X=PEEK<3481
6+PEEK<4096)*8+T>

30 FnRMM=lT04:fl*<T)=R$a>+NIB*<

"i ama v<xflNDi92V32+ij2> : x=

X*4RNB255-NEXTMr1,K,T:P=l

40 PR I NT ":M«"; :F0RT*1T088: PRINT

" " ; : NEXT

50 PRINT"»«DIW"CHR*(20)"»»a»W"CH

R$ ( 20 ) " aSW" .: • FORT=0TO7 : PR I NT " Ml

:, MIB$(Pt<T>,P,2); :NEXT

60 psp+2:lFP>LEN<A*<0))THENP=l

70 I FPEEK < 1 37 ) =64THEN50

S0 OPEN1,4:FORT=0TQ7

90 PRINT*l,LEFT$<fl*<T>, 152)CHR*

( 8) CHR*<13>CHR*< 15> i ■ NEXT '• PR I NT

# 1 i I FLEN < M < > > < 1 53THEN 1 1

100 FOPT=0TO7 •• PRINT#1 ;MID*<fl*CT

) , 1535CHR*C8)CHR*< 13>CHR$< 15) i ■

NEXT

110 PRINT#l:ClOSEi:QOTO50

GOOD FURNITURE IS IMPORTANT

TO THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF YOUR COMPUTER
SILKWOOD FURNITURE IS GOOD

Practical

Efficient (Ergonomic)

Modular

Full Work Stations

Closeable Units

Unique (registered) Designs

Unique Polished Finish

Matching Bookcases/Cabinets

This "DATA CENTRE"

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Pinter jtaxd

Many More
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Built Up From Exactly The Modules
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Have Unique Copy

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Keyboard And

Screen.

Brochures/Prices/Retailer List from:-

OOP

Manufacturing Lid

8 Tironui Road Papakura, Auckland Phone 298 7089

40 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

i ■ -"vi'iim

How C. Itoh dealers pick printers

Almost any microcomputer dealer can offer
you an alternative in printers. But only the
widest choice will make sure you get the
printers you really need. And only your C.Itoh
dealer has been given that choice. Because
C.Itoh have the widest range of printers. With
the broadest spectrum of performance and
compatibility. Print-out speeds from 18 to 350
characters per second. Every model available ex
stock. And, by helping their dealers select the
best printer for each system and each
application, C.Itoh can offer you exactly the right
printer for YOUR job.

And C. Itoh quality is choice too. Each
model delivers job-matched performance with

solid reliability and the highest quality print. All
backed by CONTROL and New Zealand's
biggest network of dealers. Which is why C.Itoh
is not only the country's widest range of
business microcomputer printers but also the
biggest selling.

Contact us now for a dealer near you.

We want you to have the choice!

45 Normanby Road, Mt Eden, Auckland 3. P.O. Box 68-474,
Auckland, N.Z. Telex NZ61102 'Datasvs' Phone (09) 600-687.

CLAUDE 14437

PROGRAMS

CTOimftw;w;w.v.«.w,'.\

iwwx.y.v.x-x.y.xorwra^^^

ZX81

Guess the Number

By Jeremy Coulter

In this amusing 16K program, you
must try to guess a number chosen by
the computer, aided only by its
comments. After completing several
stages, you are invited to enter your
name in the high-score table.

A LET N*=" / ?'?'?'?'?"?"?'?'?'?"

IP PRINT "CHOOSE fl NUMBER BETW
EEN S HND 3-5"
20 INPUT fl

30 LET N = INT (RNDiSl +10
4-0 IP P. =N THEN GOTO ISO
5G IF FU>N THEN GOTO 1C3

It WRJ&" THEN GOTO S
§0 IF S*o"fl" THEN GOTO 70

110 PRINT "HB HH Hfl.VOUR URONG"

120 PRINT "THE ANSWER uirs ";N

130 PRUSE 8C

14-0 GOTO 5

15C CLS

160 PRINT "UER'T GOOD, YOUR RNSUE
R OF ";N; " IS UEBY CORRECT."

170 PRINT "IF YOU MOULD LIKE TO

PLRY RGRIN RT fl HSOC-ER LEUEL PR
ESS O."

180 INPUT fl*

19? IF R«="0" THEN GOTO 2iO

see if n«o"S" then goto 130

2 IO CLS

220 PRINT "CHOOSE fl NUMBER BETU
EEN IS RND 30"

23© INPUT P

24.0 LET N = INT (RND*15! +3B

250 IF R=N THEN GOTO 270

260 IF floN THEN GOTO 31S5

275 PRINT "UELL DONE . IF YOU JJOU
LD LIKE ANOTHER GAME AT RNOTHERE
LEUEL THEN PRESS O."
280 INPUT A*

290 IF fl*="Q" THEN GOTO 3Sa
300 IF fl»<l"8" THEN GOTO 310
310 CLS

320 PRINT "NO IM SORRY"

330 PRINT "YOUR RNUER MRS MRONG

34.0 PRINT "PRESS ANY KEY"

350 PRINT "TO CONINUE-

360 INPUT AS ___„ r -

370 IF A$ = "" THEN GOTO S

380 IF R*<>"" THEN GOTO 3c0

*II PRINT "CHOOSE fi NUMBER BETU

FEN 30 RND 60"

4 10 INPUT R __

4S0 LET C=INT (RND»3O)+O0

4-30 IF fl=C THEN GOTO 450

ttS, IF ftoC THEN GOTO 310

4-50 PRINT "UERY GOOD . IF YOU UOU

LD LIKE TO
4.60 PRINT

L .PRESS"
4.70 PRINT

"PLRY RT RNOTHER LEl'E

■Q"

4.80 INPUT fl*

4.90 IF A*="G" THEM GOTO 510

500 IF R*0"0" THEN GOTO 310

IIS FOR X = l TO 10 .

530 PRINT RT 0,0; ■

540 PRINT RT 0,0; "THIS IS THE M
RRD ONE" _ „_,

550 PRINT RT 5.5;' FELi- fl

560 PRINT RT 5,5; "SUBBJ

570 PRINT RT 10.O; ™±P.pIjS ME "iS

OOSE R NUMBER BETUEEN

RND 100"" . " „

BOO PR XHT RT 10,0,

59Q NEXT x.

503 INPUT B

610 LET D=ZNT (RNDJlB) HOD

S20 IF B=D THEN GOTO 64-0

630 IF B<>D THEN GOTO 310

640 CLS

6S0 FOR Z=0 TO 21

660 PRINT RT Z,0;"C"

670 PRINT

RT 2, 1; "0"

" Z,2;"N"

680 PRINT RT

590 PRINT RT Z",3';"G"

700 PRINT RT Z,*;"R"

710 PRINT RT Z,5";"ft"

720 PRINT RT Z,6;"D"

730 PRINT RT Z,?;"U"

740 PRINT RT Z,8;"L"

750 PRINT RT Z,9;"fi"

7S0 PRINT RT Z,10;"T"

■7-70 PRINT RT Z,ll;"I"

780 PRINT RT Z,12;"0"

790 PRINT RT Z,13;"N"

600 PRINT RT Z,14.;"S"
810 NEXT Z
1:20 CLS

53G PRINT "YOU HRUE DONE IT"

£.40 PRINT "ENTER YOUR NfiME FOR
THE CHART"

850 INPUT N*

85Q PRINT "UOULD YOU LIKE TO 5E

• We specialise in the conversion of overseas computer &
video tape recorders to NZTV channels. (Any quantities from
individual units to large production runs.)

• Stockists of Commodore computers, hardware & software.

• Monitors repaired and aligned.

• We stock PAL and NTSC Monitors, also quality new and
used TV's.

653 Manukau Rd, Epsom. P.O. Box 84-017, Logan Park.
Phone (09) 658-416

£ TnE CHART"
US xIPR*^" THEN GOTO 900

OOO ir- r*j .'...,, ^.uci STOP

S9S IF RS
90O OLS
•ale PRINT
55 TO..

THEN STOP
"THE HIGH SCORE

BELOri

980 PRINT

930 PP -' • '
94C PRINT
950 PRINT

■....'•; N»

"HOW ABOUT RNOTHER GR

g«Q JMPUT R»„ THEN eOTO 5

II® |f rIoV' THEN SOTO 10O0

' ~" STOP „ . ,„==ia"
L02E RU ■

ZX81

Graph-it

by David Gilbert

This program, for the 16K ZX81, will
graph a function which you give. The x
and y axes are drawn from -9 to 9. You
must enter the equation in a form which
the computer will understand. Take care
not to miss out multiplication signs, and
avoid dividing by x, since this would
cause the computer to divide by zero
when x=0.

As an example, the equation
y = 2x + x 1
would be entered as
2"X+X-X*X.

4
50

55

60
) 70
65
70
30
90
loss

INPUT O*
IF fl* = ""

pwHT m m. -;«- ^ BT 21 , s; -
";fiS

,-OR V.--9 TO 9

LET YY=10-(UflL R*J

XfF IVY < :L + Op! YY>1S3 THEN GOT

PRINT RT YY,XX; "X"

IF X INKEY*="" THEN GOTO B0

CLS

RUN

Subscribe today

P. C. POWER LTD.

t££SL IBM Software Specialists!

jl For FREE monthly C0^UT™RP™6d~CTs"n^SLEkS'

I Name

J Address

'Phone Computer Type.

Importers and Suppliers of:

• NASHUA floppy disks

• FRAMEWORK

D BASE III, LOTUS 1 2 3, Symphony,

OPEN ACCESS, Flight Simulator, CONDOR j TELEPHONE [04] 693-050 420 High Street, Lower Hutt.

42 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

*x::;:.:.:.:.\>:*k-xvx%v:-x-:w^^^^

PROGRAMS

HAND-HELD

Artillery game

Mark Willmer, a civil
engineering student at Wellington
Polytechnic, designed this game
around the motion of a projectile
travelling on a parabolic curve.
Line 10 must be printed on to the
calculator. It was designed for the
Casio 702P.

The aim of the game is to hit
your opponent (enemy) before he
reaches the base of the hill upon
which you are situated. You are
given the distance from the base
of the hill to where the enemy is,
the height above ground level that
you are, and the angle (which is
under 30 deg) that the gun is
raised to. You must input the

initial velocity of the missile to hit
your target.

The enemy moves towards you
the same amount as the mission
number every time you miss him.
That is the enemy moves two
units every miss on mission two.

10. SAC : STAT R : VAC : R ■ SX

20. PRT "HIGH SCORE IS"; R

25. Z=l : J°l : K>1 : S-0

2B. WAIT 40

30. M=INT (RAN f X 100)

40. H=1NT (RAN t x 100)

50. A-IHT (RAN * X 100)

53. IF A>30 THEN 50

55. PRT "MISSION"; Z

60. PRT "ENEMY IS"; M; "H AWAY"

70. PRT "HEIGHT IS"; H; "H"

80. PRT "ANGLE OF GUN IS"; A; "9"
90. WAIT 5: T-l : H=H-J
95. IF H«.0 THEN 450
100. INP "INITIAL VELOCITY", V
110. X = (V x Cos A)T: Y=(V X SIN A) T-4.9
120. PRT HI. I; x; CSR 8; Iff; H; "TARGET"
140. IF YC0 THEN 170
150. T=T*1
160. GOTO 110

170. IF ASS (X-H).f 1 THEH 400
180. PRT "HISSED" : K-K*l I GOTO 90
400. PRT "HIT IN"; K; "GOES"
410. J"J*1 : Z=Ztl : Q=Z/K : S=S*Q : GOTO
450. PRT "YOU DIE - MISSION"; Z
455. PRT "SCORE IS"; S; "POINTS"
460. IF Z>R THEN 480
470. END
488. Z'K

Il'tH

28

"If you want to do it right .

1 >

P.O. Box 6501 Wellington.
Telephone 843-788.

ThePrecisian
FlexibleDisks

Having carefully selected and purchased
your computer you now want to be sure of
optimum operational performance and thats
where Xidex Precision Flexible Disks
come in.

Xidex Precision Flexible Disks are
produced to a production level that exceeds
all known industry standards world wide and
that delivers real benefits to you the end user.

The Disk Jacket is 33% thicker which helps
eliminate contaminants and damage from
extensive handling. Each disk is quality
controlled by 18 exacting tests and each and
every 5Va" and 8" disk carries a 10 YEAR
WARRANTY — BEAT THAT. Also, every time
you buy 10 x 5 1 /4" disks we give you a tree
unique library file! Every disk is guaranteed
100% error free, so, if you want the very best
and you want to do it right Xidex — it! today.

Distributed by:

XIDEX New Zealand

Dealer enquiries welcome

Businessv

NEW ZEALAND LTD.

COMPUTERS LIMITED

XIDEX NEW ZEALAND LIMITED have appointed all BUSINESSWORLD locations as a master

distributor for their precision flexible disks.
For purchase of XIDEX Products, contact your nearest BUSINESSWORLD COMPUTERS LIMITED

Branch.

BITS & BYTES - March 1 985 - 43

PROGRAMS

;.v.v.v.:.y.w.w.;.:.:*w. : *;.:o:.:^^^

•:v;v:w:v;v;v.v.v.-.v.

SHARP MZ700

Pie Graphs

By W.J.S. Barnes

This program uses the MZ700
printer/plotter to draw pie graphs of
figures input by the user. It draws graphs
of different sizes, labels each segment
with its percentage, and prints a key to
the graph.

18 REH PIE GRAPH

28 CLR:PR1NT"0"

30 PRINTTABClirP IE G R A P H"=PRINT

40 INPUT-TITLE OF CHART " ;N*

58 PRINT: INPUT-DO TOU NEED TO CALCULATE

THE RADIUS? T/N " ;A*

yew

Pfoi

M

COMPUTERS
FOR PEOPLE

PLCS

FOR WANG PC SALES
AND SUPPORT

35 Taranaki St, Wellington
Phone 847-668. 847-628

69a Rutherford St, Lower Hutt
Phone 664-069

60 IF A*="N" GaTOI3B

70 PRINT"CALCU ATE RADIUS OF PIE"

80 INPUT"UARIABLE "1AA

90 R = CSQRCAA/I)J:IFR>218PRINT:PRINT ,, T00

LARGE, DIUIDE UARIABLE BT 1 8" :nUSIC"R9"

188 1FR<24PRINT:PRINT"T00 SHALL, HULTIPL

T UARIABLE BT 18" :riUSIC"R9" :IFR<21PRINT"

B" :G0T078

110 IFR>248PRINT"B" :GOTO70

120 PRINT :PRINT"RADIUS IS "R:GOTO160

130 PRINT :INPUT"0K THEN ENTER RADIUS :" i
R

140 IF R>240 THENPRINT'TOD LARGE" :"USIC

"R9":GOTO130

158 IFR<24THENPRINT"T00 SHALL" nuSIC"R9"

:GOTO130

IBB PRINT:INPUT "NUnBFR OF SFGHENTS " ;NS

170 DIM PC38),PCC38),XCNS),TCNS)

188 DinKE*CNS) .-PRINT

198 rlODEGR:PCOLORl :|1OUE240, -R-l 8 :HSET

280 CIRCLE8,0,R, 0,408, 1

210 RT-0

220 FORI -1 TONS

230 INPUT"* OF SEGHENT " IPC I)

240 CIRCLES, 8,R, RT.RTtPC I )»3. 6 ,8

250 z-pcn*i .eixt'Pii:

260 RT=RT->PC!)»3.6 :X*=""

270 XCn = tCOS([RT-Z)*PAI(l )/188)*R*.73

280 TCI J = CSINCCRT-2)*PAUn'-180)»;R».7)

290 X*-STR*CX2)«-"»"

300 IFR>125THENP-1 : IFR-<125THENP-8

310 nouExcn.TU) :gprintcp,0),x«

328 PR!NTTABC13)"ORUNNING TOTAL • ;RT'3.6

330 NEXT I

340 C"CLENCN*)*6)

350 rlOUE-C,-CR'25) :GPRINT[1 ,81, N*

360 nOUE-240,-CR'60):HSET"

370 HSET:PRINT:INPUT"DO TOU NEED A KET?

T/N "iK*

380 |FK«»'N"THEN HODE TS:SKIP5:END

390 FORI-1TONS

480 PRINT I :INPUT"tJIBBB"lKE*CI)

410 NEXT I

420 FORJ-ITDNS

430 nOUE5,-e24»J) :Jt--STRlCJ)

440 GPRINTC1 ,0],J*-' "♦KE«JJ

450 NEXTJ

468 rlOOETN:SKIP5:ENn

N. 2. POPULATION 1984

1 27*=0 TO 15 TEARS

2 63*= 16 TO 64 TEARS

3 10*=65 PLUS TEARS

in Melbourne House

Melbourne House are proud to announce the
appointment of Roulston Greene PubHshing
Associates Ltd as their exclusive New Zealand
Distributors for books and software.

All inquiries to: Roulston Greene Publishing Associates Ltd

Private Bag, Takapuna. Phone 444-5920

ROULSTON GREENE

Publishing Associates Ltd

44 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

INTRODUCING THE STANDARD

BY WHICH EVERY OTHER PC WILL

BE MEASURED:

THE DATA GENERAL/One"
PORTABLE.

Free yourself from the confinement
of your desk and your deskbound com-
puter. Witli the first full-function business
system that lets you work anywhere.

The DATA GENERAL/One

Eortable offers the capability of the
rading PC in a size small enough to fit
inside the average briefcase: 1 1.7 x 13.7 x
2.8 inches, and less than 1 1 pounds.

It's the only portable with two built-
in 720 KB diskette
drive, giving you twice ^
the storage capacity.
And internal memory
is expandable up to
512 KB.

It's compatible with
I BM®-PC: software, so
you can run the thousands
of programs available
to PC users,
like
1-2-3™

and Symphony™ from Lotus™ Wordstar®,
dBase 1 1® and Multiplan®.

The DATA GENERAL/One gives
users the CEO CONNECTION - access
to Data General's CEO Comprehensive
Electronic Office.

To arrange a demonstration of the
DATA GENERAIVOne Personal System
contact your local Data General dealer:

Small enough 10 lit iiuid
youi liiK'lt.is**.

DATA GENERAL

THE. PERSONAL SYSTEM FOR PEOPLE ON THE GO

INFORMATION SYSTEMS
DEALERSHIP DMSON

Phone Wellington 722-893
Phone Auckland 792-557

PROGRMMS

TO^^.wx\\vA V .:.:.:.:.:.:««*tt^^^^

APPLE

Biorhythms

115

By Joseph Albahari

This program will plot your biorhythm
charts. Leave out the ONERR GOSUB
statement of line 30 until you have
removed any typing errors from the
program, and then RUN. Enter your birth
date and the present date, with the year
as two digits such as '85'. Your physical,
emotional, and intellectual cycles will
then be drawn. The high or low extremes
of the cycles signify good health, but if
they are crossing the centre of the graph
you ought to consider staying in bed for
the day!

10 REM BIORHYTHM

15 REM BY JOSEPH ALBAHARI

20 REM

30 ONERR GOTO 8000

40 CIR = 360

60 RAD = 57.29578

100 REM

102 DIM DM112)

105 GOSUB 5000: REM DAYS IN HON
TH

110 TEXT : HOME

INVERSE : PRINT ' BIOR

HYTHH ': NORMAL : PRINT

: PRINT

PRINT : PRINT ■Enter dates a

s follows:"

PRINT : PRINT "Date, then u

nth, then last 2 digits'

PRINT "of year, all seperate

d by coMas'i PRINT : PRINT

: PRINT

PRINT 'DATE OF BIRTH? "jBD",

■BMVBY;

HTAB 16: INPUT ";BD,BM,BY

PRINT 'PRESENT DATE? ■;PD","

PMVPYj

HTAB 15: INPUT "iPD,PM,PY
Y = PY - BY
M = PM - BM
160 D = PD - BD
170 IF D < THEN H = M - 1
188 IF M < THEN Y = Y - 1:M =

11+ 12
190 IF D < THEN D = D + DM(M)
195 IF M = THEN 250
200 FOR MO = BM TO (BM + M - 1)

117

118

119

120

125
130

135
140
150

210 ND = MO

220 IF ND > 12 THEN ND = ND - 12

230 D = D + DM(ND)

240 NEXT HO

250D = D + 365§Y + 1

255 ST = BY + ItFl = PY - 1

260 IF BM < 3 THEN ST = ST - 1

270 IF PM > 2 THEN FI = FI + 1

280 FOR LEAP = ST TO FI

290 IF (LEAP / 4) = INT (LEAP /

4) THEN D = D + 1
300 NEXT LEAP
340 TEXT : HOME
345 FOR DOT = 1 TO 24: PRINT ".

. . . .";: NEXT DOT
350 FOR X = 1 TO 40: VTAB 10: PRINT

■_■;: NEXT X
360 FOR Y = 1 TO 23: VTAB Y: HTAB

1: PRINT ■!■;: MEXT
370 REM PHYSICAL CYCLE
380 CN = 23:CY$ = "p"! GOSUB 1000

390 CN = 28:CY$ = Vl GOSUB 1000

FR€€ Disc Holding Box (worth $9.00)
with every

10 NASHUA A DISCS

Normal OUR

Description

5W Discettes

Nashua MD1D (SSOD) number ol
sectors and bytes per sector
is format dependant

Nashua MD2D (DSDD) number ot
sectors and bytes per sector is
format dependant

Nashua MD2F (DSQD) number ol
sectors and bytes per sector is
format dependant

8" Discettes

Nashua FD1 D (SSDD) 26 soft

sectors 1 28 bytes per sector

Nashua FD2D (DSDD) 8 soft sectors
1 024 bytes per sector

Suggested

Retail

THWKL
-t2&&L

Price per 1
with Sales Tax

49.96
63.42
81.48
78.25
86.68

Qty

Price
Extn

PLEASE ASK FOR OUR SPECIAL PRICE ON 1 00 LOTS.

_.-... . . _ Packing & Postage

CA SH with Order PLEA SE T0TAL

n . , , Cheque herewith

Please make your cheque out to :

Post to: Business Electronics Ltd

61 Hobson St. P.O. Box 588,
Auckland. Ph. 798-569

.95

46 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

400 CN = 33:CY$ = "i's GOSUB 1000

480LM = PM

500 FOR PR = 1 TO 39

510 TH = INT (PD / 10)

520 BH = PD - TH * 10

530 HTAB PR: VTAB 22: PRINT TH;

540 HTAB PR: VTAB 23: PRINT BH;

545 HTAB PR: VTAB 24: GOSUB 2000

: REM PRINT MONTH
550 PD = PD ♦ 1

555 IFPD = 29ANDPM = 2ANDPY
/ 4 = INT (PY / 4) THEN 57

560 IF PD > DM(PM) THEN PD = 1:P

M = PM + 1:LH = LH + 1: IF P

M = 13 THEN PM = 1:PY = PY +

1
570 NEXT PR
588 BET A*
600 GOTO 110
1000 FOR LOOP = TO 39
1005 PC = D - INT (D / CN) t CN +

LOOP
1010 Y = INT ( SIN (PC * (CIR /

CN) / RAD) * - 10 + 11)
1020 HTAB LOOP + 1: VTAB Y: PRINT

CYJ
1030 NEXT LOOP
1040 RETURN
2000 REM PRINT MONTH
2010 «.* = ■JFMAMJUASONDN"

PROGRAMS

■■■-.'■•■■-'■■..•.■.y.y.v..:.:..:...:-:-.-:..v;

2220 INVERSE

2038 Utt = HIM (nJ.Ul.l)

2040 PRINT LH$;: NORM.

RETURN

REM DAYS IN MONTH

RESTORE

DATA 31,28,31,38,31,30,31

,31,30,31,30,31

FOR DI = 1 TO 12

READ DA
5030 Dfl(DI) = DA
5040 NEXT DI

RETURN

TEXT : HOME : PRINT CHR* (

7); CHR$ (7)

FLASH : PRINT 'SYSTEM ERROR

■: NORMAL

VTAB 10: PRINT 'Incorrect d

ate entry?';: BET A*: RUN

2050
5000

5005
5010

5020

5025

5050
8000

8100

8110

ZX81

Side Scroller

By Antony Luton

Here is a short machine code routine
for the 16K ZX81 which will scroll the
screen one square left each time it is
called with LET X = USR 16514. The
number of lines scrolled can be altered by
POKE 1 651 5,n where n is the number of
lines. POKE 16526 with the character to
be scrolled onto the screen. For example,
POKE 16526,128 to fill the screen with
black squares.

To use the routine, type in the first part
of the listing, lines 1 to 50, and RUN it.
Delete lines 5 to 50 and SAVE line 1
which now contains the machine code.
Type in the rest of the listing, lines 5 to
130, to obtain a demonstration of the
routine. Use the up and down cursor
keys to avoid the stars moving across
the screen.

i bem xxxxxvxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

S LET P = 16514.
"' LET n*»" 63 24. 42 12 64 84
93 35 35 19 1 31 8237176 4-3 54.
O 35 19 61 32240201"
20 FOR R = l TO LEN R* STEP 3
30 POKE P,UHL P* (fl TO fi+2)
40 LET P=P+1
SO NEXT R

wss*xvwyM&v<«

'.V.V.V.V.'.-.-.V.V.-

.-■■.-.v.'.w.-.v.

7-Hgoto 1O0

10 print bt int <rnd*23+1) ,31;
"♦••;rt h, «;'•>•';

is if peek (peek 16396 .256 ipee
k 16399) =23 then goto so

11 LET H=H+ilNKEY«-"6") - < INKeY

°3B LET H=IH AND H>0)-CH=a3>
35 LET X=USR 16514

4.0 GOTO lO

S0 PRINT "SCORE ■

60 PP.USE 1O0

70 CLS

lOO POKE 16418,0

HO LET S=0

120 LET H = ll

130 GOTO lO

";s

Zenith / Heathkit 89

with 64K ram, twin 5V2 disc drive unit

and printer — total Zenith package in

excellent condition — one of the best

and most respected systems available.

Lots of software. What offers!

(Updating to 10MB Zenith.)

Telephone B.R. Black (04) 851-594 bus or (04)862-395 evngs
or address C/P.O. Box 259, Wellington.

Teach Yourself

Lotus 1-2-3

WordStar

Multiplan

dBASE II

MBASIC

and more than 40 others . . .

WITH A.T.I.
TRAINING PROGRAMS

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NOW AVAILABLE FROM
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Enquiries and mail orders from:

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IVII

TOP VALUE HARDWARE & SOFTWARE

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SPECIAL:— Quickshot II Why pay $34.95

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BITS & BYTES - March 1985 - 47

PROGRAMS

->SdS%&-W«&>W4V>Xtt

COMMODORE 64

Star Load

by Ken Hoffman & Bruce
McNamara

Star Load is a high-speed loader
program to replace the Commodore 64's
slow tape loader. It will load and save
BASIC and machine code programs at
about 60% of the speed of a
Commodore disk drive.

First make these two POKEs:
POKE 44,40
POKE 10240,0
NEW

Then type in the Create Program listed,
which contains the machine code in data
statements. Take care to enter it exactly
as listed. Run it, and when the machine
code has been put into place the program
will save it on tape when you press any
key. Turn the computer off and on, and
you can load Star Load ready for use.

To activate Star Load, run it. Then you
can use "S to save programs at high
speed, and "L to load programs
previously saved with Star Load. Star
Load resides in memory addresses
52490 to 53248. If another program
loads or POKEs into this area, you may
have to deactivate Star Load using *K.
To reactivate it, use SYS 52490. For
advanced programmers, "X will save a
block that has just been loaded using
Star Load.

To make fast copies of your programs,
load them normally, and save them with
Star Load. Programs saved with Star
Load are more susceptible to tape
loading errors, so clean your tape
recorder's heads if you have problems.
Star Load puts a long delay on tape
before saving data. You can reduce this
with POKE 53024,254 before saving.
After saving, reset this with POKE
53024,252.

If you have any queries about Star
Load, Ken and Bruce can be contacted
at:

S.C.U.G. Star Load
P.O. Box 1514
Invercargill.

If it's micro news in
Auckland — phone
Gaie Ellis 549-028

*v.v.y.v.%v.v.\v.yA%v.v.x.\v.v.V.^V^^^

REM>>STAR-LOAD V3 . 9 B CREATE PROGRAM< <

10 REM«»»« YOU MUST II I 00 THE FOLLOWING POKES BEFORE T IIS PROGRAM IN«»«

12 REM«t»»P0KE44 ,40 : POKE 1 0240 , : NEW »*»»

14 REM

20 IFPEEM 44>=8THENPRINT".jaan!P0KE MEMORY POINTERS AMD REL0ft0"iEND

30 pp i nt - jam— H 0H POKING DATA INTO MEMORY

40 F0RT=2049 TO 3000 : REAOA : POKET , A I X=X • A I NEXT

50 IFX< >I0339STHENPRINT"UOaH!CATA ERROR CHECK ALL DATA STATEMENTS" :END

35 PR INT" JBBPAVE-CHR*< 34 > "STAR-LOAD V3.9 B "CHP*< 34 ) " , IB" '

60 POKE 44.8IP0KE45, I73:P0KE46, 1 1 :CLR:END

100 DATA4 1 ,8, 10,0, 158,40,50,50,48,52,4 I ,20,20,20,20,20

1 10 OATA20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20. 32, 32, 83, 84, 65, 82,45,76,79

120 0ATA65,68,32,86,5I ,46 ,57,0 , 154 ,8,0,0,20 ,20 , 1 3 ,32

130 0ATA32, 66, 89, 32, 32, 75, 69, 78, 32, 72, 79, 70,70, 77, 65, 78

140' 0ATA32 , 32 , 38 , 32 , 32 , 86 , 82 , 85 , S7 , 69 , 32 , 77 , 67 , 78 , 65 , 77

150 0ATA65,82,65,32, 13 , 13 , 13 ,67 ,47 ,79 ,32 ,83 ,46 ,67,46 ,85

160 0BTA46.7 1 ,46,44, 13,80,79,83,84 ,32,79,70,70,73,67,69

170 0ATA92, 66, 79, 89, 32, 49, 53, 49, 52, 44, 13,73,78,86,69,82

180 DATA67,S5,82,71,73,76,76,44, 13,78,69,87,32,90,69,65

190 0ATA76,65,78,68,4S, 1 3 , 13 , 13 ,0 ,0 ,0 , 169 , 189 , 133 , 95 , 169

200 0ATA8, 133,96, 169, 179, 133,90, 169, 1 1 , 133,91 , 169,0, 133,88, 169

210 DATA208, 133,89,32, 191 , 163,32, 10,205, 108,2, 160,162,6, 189, 164

220 OATA205, 149, 131 ,202,208,248, 134 , 143, 169 ,5, 14 I ,32,208, 169,9, 14 1

230 DATA33.208, 169,7,141, 134,2,32,68,229, 169,48, 160,205,76,30

240 DATA 17 I ,234, 13,32 ,32 ,32,32,32,32,32,32 , 18 ,83,84 ,65 ,82

250 0ATA45,76,79,65,68,32,86,5I ,46,57,32,65,67,84,73,86

260 DATA65. 84,69,68, 13, 13 ,87,82 , 73 ,84 ,84 ,69 ,78 ,32 ,33,32

270 DATA82, 69, 76, 69, 85, 83, 69, 68, 32, 70, 79, 82, 32, 80, 85, 66

280 0ATA76, 73, 67, 32, 68, 79, 77, 65, 73, 78, 32, 66, 89, 13, 13,32

290 DATA32, 32, 32, 32, 32, 75, 69, 78, 32, 72, 79, 70, 70, 77, 65, 78

300 0ATA32, 38, 32, 66, 92, 85, 67, 69, 32, 77, 67, 78, 65, 77, 65, 82

310 0ATA65, 13,13, 13,0,234,234,32, 171 ,205,32, 179,205,32, 192,205

320 0ATA201 ,42,240,26,96,56,233,48,56,233,208,96,230, 122,208,2

330 OATA230, 123 ,8B , 132 , 193 , 160 ,0 , 177, 122 ,8 , 164 , 193 ,40 ,96 ,32, 186

340 DATA205,20I ,83,240, 15,20 1 ,76,240,17,201 ,88,240, 10,201 ,75,208

350 OATA23S,76,232,207,76,254,2O6,76, 18,207, 173,32,208, 14 1 ,255,207

360 DATA32,23,248, 169,7 , 133 , 1 , 1 20, 169 , 193 , 14 1 ,24 ,3 , 169 ,254 , 14 1

370 0ATA25,3,169,139,I4 1, 17,208,169,0,133,158,14 1,5.22 1,169,120

380 DATA 14 1, 4, 22 I, 169,129,141,14,221,169,1,141,5,221,189,74,141

390 0ATA4, 221, 169, 100, 133, 146, 32, 222, 206, 176, 247, 198, 146, 208, 247, 32

400 DATA222, 206, 144,251 ,32 , 139,206 , 133 , 195 , 1 4 1 ,249 ,207,32 , 1 39,206 , 133

410 DATA196, 141 ,250,207,32, 139,206, 133, 174, 133,45, 141 ,251 ,207,32, 139

420 DATA206, 133, 175, 133 ;46, 141,252,207, 166, 196,228, 175,208,6, 166, 195

430 0ATA228, 174,240,23,32, 139,206, 170 ,58 , 10 1 , 158 , 133 , 158 , 138 , ISO ,0

440 DATA 145, 195,230, 195,208,226,230, 196,76,86,206,32, 139,206, 197, 158

450 0ATA208,3,76, 153,206,32, 153,206, 162,29,76,55, 164, 160, 1 ,32

460 DATA222,206, 152,42, 168, 144,248, 14 1 ,32,208,96, 165 , I ,9,33 , 133

470 DATA I , 169,7, 133, 192, 173, 17,208,9, 16, 14 1 , 17,208, 160,0, 140

480 DATA 1 4, 221 ,88 , 169 ,7 I , 14 I ,24 ,3, 169, 13,32,210,255, 174,249,207

490 0ATA173,250,207,32,205, 189, 169, 13,32,2 10,255, 174,251 ,207, 173,252

500 DATA207, 32, 203, 189, 169, 13,32,210,255, 173 ,255,207 , 14 1 ,32 ,208 ,96

5 10 DATA 169, 16,44, 13,220,240,25 1 ,238,32,208, 169 , 153 , 14 I , 14 ,22 1 ,78
520 DATA 13, 22 1 , 78 , 13,22 1 , 144 ,25 I , 173, 13,220,4 1 , 16,208, 1 ,24,98
530 DATA 165, 43, 14 1 ,249,207, 165,44, 14 1 ,250,207, 165,45, 14 1 ,25 1 ,207, 163
540 0ATA46, 14 1 ,252,207, 173,32,208, 14 1 ,255,207,32,36,248, 169,6, 133
550 DATA1 , 169,232, 1 33 , IS 1 , 133, 162, 165 , 16 1 ,208,252, 120 , 169 , 193 , 14 1 ,24
560 DATA3, 169,234, 14 1 ,23,3, 169, 139, 14 1 , 17,208, 169 ,0, i 33 , 138 , 169
570 0ATA235, 133 , 146 ,24 ,32 , 1 77,207, 198, 146,208,249,56,32, 177,207, 173
380 0ATA249, 307, 133, 195, 32, 132, 207, 173, 250, 207, 133, 196, 32, 152, 207, 173
590 0ATA23 1,207, I 33, 174, 32, 1 32, 207, 173, 252, 207, 133, 175, 32, 152, 207, 166
600 0ATAI96.228, 175,208,6, 166, 195,228, 174,240,23, 160,0, 177 , 195 , 1 70

6 10 DATA56, 101 , 158, 133, 138 , 138 ,32 , 152 ,207 ,230 , 195 ,208 ,226 ,230 , 196,76
620 DATA 109, 207, 165, 158, 32, 152, 207, 76, 153, 206, 160, 8, 42, 1 33, 10, 32
630 DATA 177, 207, 165, 10, 136, 208, 243, 96, 169, 16, 14 1,254, 207, 206, 254, 207
640 0ATA208.251.96, 165,1,9,8,133,1.238,32.209,162,20,202,208
650 DATA253, 165, 1,4 1,247, 133,1. 176,8,162,48,202,208,253,76, 168
660 DATA207, 162, 32, 202, 206, 253, 165, 1,9, 8, 133, 1,162, 20, 202, 208
670 0ATA233, 165, I ,41 ,247, 133, 1 ,76, 186,207, 162.28, 188, 162,227, 149
680 OATAI 13,202,16,248,76,131,164,234,234,234,234,1,8,255,159,80
690 DATA83, 73, 126, 102, 96, 96, 96, 98, 96, 96, 102,126.60,0,0,0

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BITS & BYTES - March 1985 - 49

PROGRAMS

BBC

Fast Key

By C. Fawcett

This is a utility program for producing
keywords with a single key-press. Each
letter key, and the punctuation keys ; : , .
/ will produce a keyboard when the TAB
key is pressed.

Before entering the program, make
room for the machine code by entering
PAGE =&FOO and NEW. Save both the
source and machine code with
•SAVE'Tast key" 0D00 0F00 0E6B. To
load with a tape system, type

1 v.-.v','.v/.v.v/.^^v.'.\^.v.y.;.vv.>>y.>v.>:> : ...-.v^v.v.-;v.v

PAGE = &FOO and CH."Fast key", and to
load with a disk system, type
PAGE = PAGE+512 and CH.'Tast key".
The utility initialises itself on BREAK and
sets the correct page.

10REM Fast key (or BBC

20REM Copyright C.Fancett (1984)
30PR0Cstr 1 ng: PROCassemb 1 e
40REM change keyboard vector
50?«.210-start MOD 236: 71.21 l«start DIV
236

60CALLlnlt

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ATARI
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APPLE VIC 20

ZX81
FOUNTAIN

SYS 80
TRS80

□

SEGA 3000

C64 i WIZZARD [L
VZ 200 □ TUNIX

SPECTRUM BBC

.^^^^^V/.^V.^^^•.^^^^^■.^'.V.. 1 ^■..^^■.■.>^^:-.:.X.:■^^:.X■■X•:■:■:^■■:^•.%<^^

70END

BODEFPROCstring

90polnl-PAGE-312
100RESTORE

110REM start address of data
120F0Rloop=0T031 : READdata*
130*< loop*8+ point J *»data»: NEXT
140ENDPR0C
150REM data far keys (max lenght 8 cha

pacters)

160DATAL0AD",CALLI<, SAVE" .CHAIN-

170DATARICHT«(,MID«(,AUT0,GCOL

180DAT ACOLOUR.DAT A, ELSE, FOR, GOTO

190DATAG0SUB, INPUT, INKEY, GET , LEFTS I

200DATAM0DE , NEXT , OLD , PLOT , DEF , RUN

2 10DAT ASTEP , TAB ( , UNT IL , VDU , FN

22ODATAPR0C , REPEAT , END

23ODEFPR0Cassemb 1 e

240F0RPASS=0T02STEP2:PX-point*237

23OC0PTPASS

260\ read key

270. start : JSRfcDECS: BCCnex t : RTS

280\ 1* error return (Escape, etc)

290\ Tab key ?

300 . nex t : CMPH9 : BEQnex t2 : CLC : RTS

310\Read another key

320.next2:STXl.7l:STYt<72: JSRI.DEC5

330BCCnext3:LDXk7l:LDYI<71:RTS

340\Valid key after tab ?

330. next3

360CMPHB<2C:8MInot

370CMPIU.30 : BMI f i rst

380CMPHk3A:BMInot

390CMPM1<3C: BMIsecond

400CMPM(,4 1 : BMI not

410CMPHW5B: BMIthlrd

420BNEnot

430\Set up pointers to data

440. * i rst : LDXHk2C : BN£nr l te

430. second: LDXH8.36: BNEwr i te

460. third:LDXHS<3B

470\Urite data to keyboard buffer

480. wr i te: STXB,70: SEC : SBCt<70

490ASLA: asla: ASLA:TAX:LDAHk8A:CLC

SOOXRead data until CR

310. loop2:LDYpolnt,X:CPY*fc0D:BE0not

320LDYpolnt,X

530STXI<74:LDXItO: JSR8.FFF4

540LDX6c74: INX: JMPloop2

330\Return from routine

360 . no t : LDAHO : CLC : LDXI.7 1 : LDYt.72 : RTS

370\Self initialize

380. inlt:LDABPAGE DIV 236:STAIil8

590LDAHstart MOD 236: BTAIe210! LDAestarl
DIV 236:STA«<211

600LDX«key MOD 256:LDY*key DIV 236

610JSR!<FFF7:RTS

620 \Sting command for Break key

623\Change kE6B to 'start' if 'point'
is changed

630 .key:EBUS"K. lOCALLl." *STR«~i n i t ♦■

!M-»CHR«13
640! :NEXT
630ENDPR0C

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© manukau (NZ)

^ CO/MPUTERS ltd

50 - 8ITS & BYTES - March 1985

B€GINN€RS

T^vX.y.^v.v.v.w.v.v.v.v.w^^

;-:«-:-:*kw>>:w.-:w.%%v.v.v.%v^^^^

Use the right word!

By Jay D. Mann

We all tend to use words in imitation of
our friends, rather than in a strictly
dictionary-approved manner. This is
usually harmless at worst and perhaps
enlivens our speech. On the other hand,
when we use the wrong technical
words, we confuse not only our listeners
but also ourselves. At every computer
club meeting I've been to, there has been
at least one person tossing around terms
like "disk" and "RS232" in a way that
suggests he doesn't really understand
what they are.

Let's look at "disks" - the round flat
things (in square envelopes) that spin
about. These devices, based on nothing
more than rust and plastic, hold your
precious data and programs. The disk fits
into a black box called a "disk drive."
This is the machine that spins the disks
round and round. We hope it also sends
and receives electrical signals that go to
something inside or attached to your
computer.

That something is the "disk
controller". If your computer "has
disks" then it has a disk controller fitted,
plus a disk drive or two, plus a number of
actual disks. Better yet, why not state
just what you do have, e.g., "I have a
disk controller but can't afford a disk
drive yet."

Some recent home computers,
particularly the dearer ones, have disk
controllers fitted as standard. Some, at
least, have sockets for them. Other
computers need to have accessories
added. Commodores are a special case:
the software for disk operation is built-in,
but they use an intelligent disk controller
built into the disk drive case.
"Double-density" seems particularly
confusing. First of all, every disk drive

Clarifying that
density

made today is capable of double-density
recording. Despite the name, the number
of bits recorded per millisecond is no
higher in double-density than in single-
density recording.

What changes is that in double-
density, fewer bits are "wasted" as
clock bits than in single-density. This
means more data recorded per
millisecond. It requires a special disk
controller plus associated electronics, to
read and write double-density disks.
Such disk controllers are also capable of
running single-density, of course.

Finally, you need the correct software
to drive the disk controller in the correct
manner to produce either single or
double-density operation.

Disks labelled "double-density" are
disks (the round flat things, remember)
that have met a higher standard of
testing than single-density disks. The
latter may well work in double-density
operation but you have no guarantee
against an excessive error rate.

Another area producing a flood of
confusing jargon is the term, "RS232".
This is inextricably confused with serial
operation in the minds of many
newcomers (and many who ought to
know better). We'd better look at serial
versus parallel operation first.

Inside your computer, either eight or
1 6 bits are moved between the memory,
the CPU, and the rest of the hardware.
These bits move on eight or 16 physical
connections, all at once (we hope); in
other words, in parallel. This is much

faster than sending a byte one bit at a
time. Consider a carriage return,
Chr$(13) or OD in hexadecimal. This has
a bit pattern of 00001101. Parallel
transmission sends the whole lot at
once, typically in about one micro-
second.

When we want to send the same byte
to some device outside the computer,
we may not want to spend the money for
eight or more separate wires, plus earth
plus "control" signals. It's all very well
to put a multipin plug between a printer
and a computer, but how would you like
to pay for 10 simultaneous telephone
connections for computer-to-computer
linkups? The answer is to send the byte
(OD for instance) one bit at a time via,
essentially, a single pair of copper wires.

First, we send four zeros, then two
ones, another zero, and a final one. At
the other end, the computer or other
device picks up each one or zero, and
puts them back together into
00001101, and the data returns to
parallel operation.

Pulling the
bytes apart

Obviously, something has to pull bytes
apart into bits and something has to put
them back together again. The operation
can be performed without anaesthesia
by the computer itself, and often is in
simpler systems. More usually, a
dedicated integrated circuit called a
UART or SIO is used to do the job. The
process is called parallel-to-serial and
serial-to-parallel conversion.

In every UART or SIO I know of, the
signals come out as TTL levels — a zero

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BITS & BYTES - March 1985 - 51

;v:v:v:-:wv:o:v:v:vXw^^

,Vi VrtV.Vi"iV.".".V .V.V.V.V.V.". V/iV.V.ViViViViVM V.Wi

bit has less than half a volt while a one
bit is more than two volts. The trouble is
that TTL signals are not particularly
suited to being sent down long wires. So
we have to change this local signal into
another form better suited for trans-
mission.

The RS232 specifications are rather
old, as these things go, but they work for
cables of at least 20 metres and usually
much longer. Because RS232 was
written in the dark ages, it uses voltage
levels not really suited for modern
electronics. A zero bit, quaintly called a
space, is represented by voltage higher
than three volts and less than 1 2. A one
bit, or mark, is given by a voltage
between -3 and -12 volts.

That's the theory. In practice, almost
all existing RS232 receivers will accept a
voltage of as a one bit or mark. This
means you can often make a homebrew
RS232 output merely by inverting a TTL
signal through a CMOS inverter with an
output toggling between five and
volts. Some proprietary equipment just
might not accept volts, so be warned.

(Incidentally, the resting state of an
RS232 line is with the negative-voltage
mark asserted. This was so that the
telegraph operator could be alerted is
hostile forces cut the telegraph wire.
Mechanical teleprinters kick up an
enormous racket unless they are kept
quiet by a continuous mark voltage).

Another way to transmit signals down

a wire is to use the 20-milliamp loop
linkup. Instead of flipping voltages, we
turn a current off and on, and use an
optoisolator or relay at the other end for
reception. The current loop standard was
originated to drive the magnet of
mechanical teleprinters, just to give you
an idea of its age.

Interestingly enough this antique
method is actually superior to RS232 for
fast data rates over long lines. It can also
provide good electrical safety against
voltage transients. The Post Office
doesn't approve it because it messes up
adjacent phone lines, but it can be quite
satisfactory in a dedicated setup.

A couple of
loop standards

Two new current loop standards, RS422
and RS423, have been devised to
replace RS232. A lot of new commercial
equipment has RS423 circuits that have
been patched to simulate RS232.
Basically, RS422/423 involves much
smaller currents than the old 20-milliamp
method, and more sensitive receivers.

None of the standards really specifies
the kind of plugs and sockets to be used.
Traditionally, a fairly pricy 25-pin D-
connector has been used for RS232
hookups, although no more than five of
the 25 pins are actually connected and

HOW
TO TURN

PROBLEM:

As an EDP user you
obviously face the monumental
task of coping with the miles of
material pouring from the
printer at high speed.
To make this mass of printout
information manageable it
must be converted from
continuous zig-zag folded
stationery into readily accessible
individual forms.

BOW

Phone today or write for literature on Bowe
Computer printout process. Or ask a Delairco
consultant to contact von to arrange an obligation-
free demonstration.

THIS

INTO
THIS

I3€GINN€RS

.V.W.V.V.V.-.-.".V...V.'.V.V.V.V.-.V.V.:^^

small computer systems use only three
of them. A recent DEC terminal uses a
small seven-pin connector to do the
same job. (What kind of connector does
a 1000kg gorilla use on his computer?
Answer: Any kind he darn chooses!)

There is a supplementary standard for
the RS422 connectors that calls for 35
(sic) pins. Instead of counting sheep
tonight, try to think of what sort of
device-to-device connection might
require 35 different sorts of data and
control signals.

Serial communication requires all sorts
of decisions. Seven or eight bits. Parity?
Odd or even parity? Even if you don't
make these decisions, somebody has
had to. At the very least, you will
probably have to select baud rate (better
known as bps or bits per second). For
most modems. 300bps is used. Videotex
uses 1200bps in one direction, 75 in the
other. Serial printers (a vanishing breed)
often run about 1200bps. Video display
terminals linked to larger computers can
go up to 19,200bps but are usually
between 1200 and 4800bps.

So please remember, don't go around
asking for a "RS232" board for your
computer, when what you really require
is a parallel-to-serial converter. You
might, in fact, need a simple TTL or
20-milliamp connection to the outside
world without ever going into the
inverted voltage levels of the real RS232
standard.

SOLUTION:

CCP (Computer Printout
Processing) is the answer and
Bowe equipment is how you
achieve it.

Bowe of West Germany has
perfected equipment which
matches the speed and accuracy of
the printer's output. Its four main
functions are: CUTTING,
FOLDING and INSERTING . . .
turning information into
vital documents.

BOWE

CCP Equipment from

Delairco

Delairco Electronics Ltd.

10 Lion Place, Auckland Tel: 79 8704

DEL23

52

BITS & BYTES March 1985

6€GINN€RS

■.•.^v/.://.^:.:.:.:.:<.:-■.•■:■■^^■:■:•:■■:•:^^^■:■■^:■:■:•:■:^■:•:•:^^^■.-.•;^■;^'

,vAttw*M.K*:*>:.x*>»x*x<*:w^^^^

Each article in this series is a gentle introduction to some topic in the computing field. It is written for the beginner, so may
appear very simple to the rest of you. If you find it too easy, and so not worth reading, congratulations - you are a beginner no
more. Each issue will deal with a different topic, of general interest. Occasionally, material may seem to repeat what has already
appeared in "Bits and Bytes". But remember, new readers are coming along all the time.

Avoiding trouble with disks

By Gordon Findlay

The trouble with disks is that they are
fragile! Even with very careful and
conscientious handling, it is easy to
damage a disk so that it cannot be read -
thereby losing the information on it
forever.

Lost data can be merely a nuisance, or,
in the business situation, almost mean
bankruptcy if it includes, for example, all
the accounts! No matter what the
situation, damage to a disk invariably
means loss of time - and you know what
they say time is!

The most common sources of damage
to disks are avoidable. The tolerances
involved in reading and writing to a
floppy or hard disk are so small the
smallest particle of dust or oil from a
fingerprint can make a disk unreadable.
Here are some things to avoid:

• Dust is dangerous! Don't leave dis.ks
exposed to airborne dust. A good rule is
that a disk should be in its drive or its
envelope. A disk should not be left on a
desk to collect dust from the air, or
worse, from the desk surface.
Remember that in a single-sided drive,
the side that is recorded is the bottom
one - not the one with the label.

• Smoke is as bad as dust. Smoking
while using a computer is definitely not
recommended. Of course, in the good
old days (seven years ago) when
computers were mainframes and had
special rooms, a person smoking
wouldn't get near the machine.

• Don't touch the disk surface itself! I
know your fingers are scrupulously
clean, but even clean fingers leave traces

•of oil.

• Bending a disk is likely to flake off
some of the oxide coating - bad news.
Pressure on disks caused by squeezing
lots into a box, placing heavy objects like
books on them, using paper clips, rubber
bands or other rough handling will
squeeze the edges of the jacket together
and prevent the disk from turning. I've
seen this several times, and occasionally
managed to use surgery on the jacket to
allow the disk to be copied onto a new
one. But more often than not, no
recovery has been possible.

• Everyone knows not to write on the
label once it's on the disk but sometimes
we have to. Use a felt-pen, carefully.
Don't stick a label on top of an old one -
carefully peel the old one off first. Don't
use a rubber on a disk label - think of the
dust!

• Magnetic fields erase disks, of course.
There are magnetic fields of around
telephones, monitor screens,
loudspeakers and magnetic memo
holders, among other things. At least
one unfortunate acquaintance has found

a disk with a memo attached to a filing
cabinet by a large magnetic clip. The disk
didn't look damaged!

• Sending disks through the mail can be
successful, but packing needs to be
secure. Use a thick piece of cardboard on
each side of the disk and slightly larger to
avoid bending. Put the whole
"sandwich" in a posting bag with bubble
padding to avoid pressure damage.
There are also commercially made disk
mailers.

• Disk head cleaning kits are commonly
sold. There are several types. Some have
a dry sheet of cleaning material, others
impregnate the material with a liquid
before use. Some drive manufacturers
do not recommend the kits, others
recommend cautious use. Too frequent
use can certainly contribute to rapid
head wear. If you do use one, stick to the
instructions, and do not over-use.

• There is also controversy over using
the back side of a single-sided disk.
There are good reasons for not using the
reverse, but on the other hand lots of
people do! Caution is recommended.
Dysan Corporation, one of the largest
disk manufacturers in the world, does
not make a "flippy" disk, and warns
strongly against using the reverse of a
single-sided disk. Perhaps we can only
advise caution.

Even with the greatest care, accidents

do happen. One of the worst losses I
have had was caused by a child
unexpectedly sneezing! The best
precaution is to keep a back-up copy. At
a suitable interval, make a copy of your
work. What is a suitable interval? That
depends on your application. Certainly,
in a business situation, it should be short
enough to allow reconstruction of an up-
to-date set of files system from the latest
back-ups without great delay, by
reprocessing just the work since the disk
was last backed-up.

In word processing, save the file when
you've done more typing than you want
to repeat, and back-up frequently. In
most operating systems, there are
commands to allow copying of only the
files on a disk which have been changed
since the last back-up. Major software
packages should have automatic or
semi-automatic back-up provisions.

With care, disk storage is quick and
reliable. But in a medium in which a piece
of track just 0.3mm wjde and 0.76mm
long, can store 130 bits, and the loss of
just one bit can render the whole disk
useless, care is obligatory!

If it's micro news in

Wellington — Phone

Pat Churchill 797-1 93

-O

MICRO SOFTWARE HIRE CLUB

OPEN WEEKDAYS & SATURDAY MORNINGS

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Dreghorn Place

* • Trade enquiries welcome * *

A Branch Franchise may be available in your area.

Please Contact Phone 444-8063 or write

Box 33-1 96 Takapuna, Auckland.

BITS & BYTES - March 1985 - 53

flPPl€

.yoww/VKw'w'WvKw: . .. -....■:•.,■ .-..,.■ ■.■.■>;•.■:•;■;■;*:-;•.•.•;

In defence of Sandy

By John MacGibbon

As someone who has used a Sandy
word processor on an Apple II Plus for
several years, I am writing to protest at
the cavalier treatment given to this
product in the Bits & Bytes survey
(August edition) of microcomputer word-
processors.

The program has everything I need as
a professional writer, yet it is also very
easy for beginners to use. My kids have
used it since primary school and were
singularly unimpressed with Bank Street
Writer, the simple word processor
designed particularly for family and
school use.

The Bits & Bytes comparison chart is
incorrect in three areas.

It says Sandy's screen display doesn't
"match the printed font". Now this is
technically correct if the writer means
that if you want to print Roman, the
screen will show Roman. Or if you want
to print in Helvetica, the screen will show
Helvetica and so on.

In fact, none of the programs surveyed
can display the printed font: you need an
Apple Macintosh for that trick.

I believe the reviewer meant an ability
to display, on screen, how the text will
ultimately be positioned on a print out. In
this context, Sandy definitely rates a
"yes". And it's a better yes than many
other programs, because it shows
exactly where page breaks will occur.

The comparison chart placed a
question mark against the ability to
"issue special printer commands". The
answer should again be "yes". It is
possible to embed commands to just
about make a printer talk, and these are
demonstrated in files included on the
program disk.

Again there is a question mark against
the ability to "modify printer drive
routines". The answer should be a
qualified "yes". The installing program

for Sandy does allow some flexibility to
suit different printers. It is certainly not
as flexible as Wordstar, but it is
sufficient to allow most popular
daisywheel and dot matrix printers to be
used — including NEC, Epson and C-ltoh.

Your reviewer feels the search and
replace function on Sandy is limited and
clumsy. I disagree. The only thing it can't
do is search above the position of the
cursor. You can only search downwards
from the cursor — not that that has ever
bothered me. In truth, upward searching
is generally found only on expensive
dedicated word processors.

The Sandy "replace mode" allows you
to choose very simply from "replace",
"don't replace", "replace all instances",
"replace and end" and "terminate".
What more do you need?

The review obviously had to be very
general, but it would have been nice had
there been room to include some of
Sandy's strengths, including the fact you
are always in insert mode. You don't
have to waste time and break your stride
switching between different modes to do
different things.

It is worth noting there are now two
versions of Sandy available: a universal
version, and a lie version. The latter has
a number of enhancements and a vastly
improved instruction manual.

Other plusses for this program include
extremely fast loading and saving of files
and the ability (in the Me version) to
define printer control characters,
common "boiler plate" phrases etc in a
glossary, allowing instant one-keystroke
insertions in your text.

Moving and merging blocks of text is
very easy, particularly with the lie
version, and the program includes a
mailer. The lie version includes a "print
to disk" feature that will format text
ready for transmission by modem.

Another important Sandy feature
(missing on many other word
processors) is an ability to alter print
formatting default options.

Files can be given long and descriptive
names — which never have to be typed
out again because file catalogues appear
with a letter beside each file title. Just
press the letter and you've got the file.

Sandy word processor is written in
Australia where genuine Apples are
being greatly outsold by Apple
compatibles. Because author Sandy
Donald knows which side his bread is
buttered on, he has updated the
universal version to work with the Lingo
128, Basis Medfly plus "Apple Copy". It
can also be configured to Taiwanese
80-column cards, as well as more
standard brands such as Videx and
Vision 80.

The best compliment I can pay this
program is that for me, it is totally
transparent in use. It is fast and I never
have to think about it. At various times, I
have looked seriously at the competition
just to see if I was missing anything. I've
always gone back to my old Aussie
mate.

Seriously, I believe that anyone
prepared to spend $300 for Applewriter
II or $595, plus a Z80 card for WordStar,
has got to be out of their mind, when
Sandy is available for between a quarter
and half the price. The only excuse I can
think of is they have some very specialist
use only a more expensive program
could satisfy.

Sandy has only recently been on
general sale in New Zealand, although it
has been available to schools for several
months. The (pre-devaluation) price to
the general public was $150 for both
versions. It is available from Ceta
Resources, Box 13225, Christchurch.

BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!

for home computerists to business users even James Martin fans
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Visit our store or Write or phone your request to

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P.O. Box 5006 Dunbar Sloane Building, Maginnity St, Wellington

PHONE 728-544

54 - BITS & BYTES - Match 1985

FOR FLOPPY DISKS-

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\ferbatim )JM

BITS & BYTES - March 1985 - 55

sp€cmnviD€o

More on benchmarks

By Alex Bridger

Last month, we examined times taken
for running different functions, different
types of arithmetic and some benchmark
programs including Eratosthenes sieve.
This month, we will fill in the picture for
the remaining benchmark programs,
reporting some results for other micros
and giving some tips on speeding up your
Spectravideo programs.

We believe the benchmark programs
at the end of this article were first
published in Kilobaud in 1977 (eight
years ago — not quite the computer
stoneage!) test the speed of certain basic
routines repeating them 1000 times to
get a measurable time.

BM1 times a 1000 empty FOR. . .TO
loops; BM2 one thousand IF statements;
BM3 and BM4 a thousand floating point
and integer arithmetic operations with
each of the four operators; BM5 one
thousand GOSUB branches; BM6 is a
preparatory stage for timing matrix
creation steps in BM7. BM8 was
discussed in last month's article where it
was used to time the transcendental
functions, plus others. BM9 is
Eratosthenes sieve, not one of the
"official" benchmarks simply my
naming convenience.

Table 1 lists the times of various
microcomputers. However the source of
some of this data is uncertain, it is
extracted from an unpublished company
performance evaluation memorandum,
and the times for some of the other
machines may not be exactly
comparable because of the types of
arithmetic to • which each machine
defaults (this was discussed in last
month's article); the Spectravideo and
IBMPC times are all for double precision
arithmetic (the slowest type). The
Spectravideo defaults to double
precision whereas the PC defaults to
single. For the SVs, single precision
reduces the times by 3-5%.
Examining these results gives a different
perspective of the relative perfromance
of different machines compared to
running only Eratosthenes sieve. Last
month, it was shown that the
Spectravideo was the fastest on the
sieve — even faster than the mighty PC.
However Table 2 shows there are
differences between the micros with
Atari and Spectravideo weak on the trig
functions, and the PC significantly faster
than the others on these functions. I also
ran BM8 on the new IBM PC AT and XT
to get 14.1 and 28 seconds respectively.

To arrive at a summarising
performance factor for each machine, I
used the IBM PC times as the standard
for comparison, then finding the
deviation from this for each benchmark
and taking the mean of these deviations
for each machine. This treats each
benchmark as an independent event,
giving equal importance to each result.

It is hardly fair to include the Sharp

56 - BITS S BYTES - March 1985

TABLE 1 : Benchmark times

(seconds)

SV31 9/328 Apple l

IBM PC

Commodore6

4

Atari400

Kaypro2

Sharp1401

BM1

2.2

1.3

1.6

1.6

2.4

1.7

14.

BM2

5.6

8.5

6.0

9.9

7.0

5.7

74.

BM3

18.3

16.5

33.0

18.4

22.6

15.6

160.

BM4

19.9

17.8

33.1

20.2

22.5

15.0

164.

BM5

20.9

19.1

34.2

21.7

25.5

16.6

176.

BM6

33.1

28.6

44.4

32.3

27.5

30.0

269.

BM7

44.8

44.8

58.2

50.9

27.6

47.5

430.

BM8

236.3

107.

38.4

116.7

423.

81.5

830.

BM9

179.

223.

190.

1

338.

na.

250.

na.

TABLE 2: Deviations

SV3 18/328 Apple2E

IBM PC

Commodore6

t

4

Atari400

Kaypro2

Sharp1401

BM1

1.38

0.81

1.0

1.0

1.50

1.06

8.8

BM2

0.93

1.42

1.0

1.65

1.17

0.95

12.3

BM3

0.55

0.50

1.0

0.56

0.68

0.47

4.9

BM4

0.60

0.54

1.0

0.61

0.68

0.47

5.0

BM5

0.61

0.56

1.0

0.63

0.75

0.49

5.1

BM6

0.75

0.64

1.0

0.73

0.62

0.68

6.1

BM7

0.77

0.77

1.0

0.87

0.47

0.82

7.4

BM8

6.15

2.79

1.0

3.04

11.02

2.12

21.6

BM9
AVG

0.94

1.17

1.0

1.78

1.32

_

DEV

1.41

1.02

1.0

1.21

2.11

0.93

8.9

results since this is a small 4.5K RAM
pocket computer. Just for interest, a
compiled version of the sieve (BM9) was
run on the Kaypro resulting in a 62%
saving in time for that machine. The
Atari 400 was a 64K expanded model
with one 32K bank deactivated. I would
be pleased to receive times for other
machines done with double and single
precision arithmetic.

I wish to acknowledge and thank M.
Foster, M. Livingstone, P. Logan, B.
Goldstone who helped me with their
machines and results.

There are many small things you can
do to speed up your programs; there are
also a number of important features to be
looked for in IF statements, loops & logic
control.

On the elementary side you can:

• Combine lines using the colon as a
separator and taking advantage of the
full 255 byte statement length limit. For
example, changing the seven-line BM2
program into a four line program gave a
20 millisecond time saving per line
saved. That may not sound much but
they are simply lines. Longer lines will
save more.

• Use remarks sparingly — usually
only recommended if no one else has to
follow your program or the REMs can be
up front or at the end. The time cost is
much smaller (so don't get carried away
with this one), about 1 millisecond per
22 byte REM, can be significant if placed
inside a big loop.

• Use simple arithmetic. Quantitative
detail was supplied in last month's article

with one of many unstated conclusions
that using addition and subtraction in
preference to multiplication & division
saved time. Eg. use Z = X + X instead of
Z=X*2 and Z=X"X instead of Z=X A 2,
each is three times faster and save two
and nine milliseconds respectively.

• Don't repreatedly evaluate the same
expression. If it is necessary to calculate
a similar set of calculations at various
times, set a new variable equal to the
part of the calculation which is the same.
Eg. replace S=K"K+4/2:
TT=K"K + 6/2 by U = K'K:S = U+4/2:
T=U + 6/2. This example saved three
milliseconds per pass. The precision of
the arithmetic required also can be used
to save time (see last month's article).

• On the Spectravideo, as with some
of the other microcomputers that have
Microsoft BASIC, every FOR ... TO loop
does not need to have a closing NEXT
statement with the looping variable
specified eg. FOR K = 1 TO 5: . . . :NEXT.
This saves only 0.4 milliseconds per loop
i.e. two milliseconds for this example.

• Don't place any unnecessary
program steps inside loops. This can be
most profitable for optimising your
program times, after you have the
program logic sorted out. My suggestion
is to concentrate first on the big loops.
Big loops are ones that have a large,
repetition index.

These simple techniques may appear
to save very little time, however there
are certain situations and applications
like action games where these savings
are noticeable and effective.

SP€CTRflVID€0

Benchmark
programs

Sector Alpha: it's different

Starting with BM3, BM2 simply has
line 50 deleted. BM1 then has lines 30 &
40 deleted & line 60 replaced by FOR
K=1 TO 1000 and NEXT K.

Then starting with BM7, delete line 80
to get BM6, then dete lines 70 & 90 to
get BM5, then delete line 60 & line 130
and get BM4.

10 REM BENCHMARK 3

20 PRINT 'S'

30 K=0

40 K=K+1

50 A=K/K*K+K-K

60 IF K<1000 THEN 40

70 PRINT 'E'

80 END
5 REM ERATOSTHENES SIEVE

10 DEFINT A-Z
20 SIZE= 8190
30 DIM FLAGS (8190)
40 PRINT 'only 1 iteration'
50 C0UNT=0
60 FOR 1=0
70 FLAGS(I)=1
80 NEXT I

90 FOR 1=1 TO SIZE
100 IF FLAGS(I)=0 THEN 170
110 PRIME= I+I+3
120 K=I+PRIME
130 IF K>SIZE THEN 170
140 FLAGS (K)=0
150 K=K+PRIME
160 GOTO 130
170 C0UNT=C0UNT+1
180 NEXT I
190 PR I NTCOUNT; 'primes'

10 REM BENCHMARK 7
"20 PRINT 'S'
30 K=0

by Alex Bridger

Here is a fighter pilot simulator game
that's different from the usual (mind you
so is the price). The setting is three
different mountainous landscapes from a
planet somewhat reminiscent of science
fiction film settings of a different solar
system.

You are required to defend your planet
against invading alien Tie fighters that
attack you regardless of which of the
three sectors your craft happens to be in.
Three radar screens give you the overall
view of the mounting attacks, indicating
which sector will next require your
attention. You launch missiles at the
incoming fighters which in turn launch
missiles at you. These enemy missiles
very realistically grow as they get closer
and can be evaded only if you act soon
enough before they smash into your
cockpit and terminate one of your five
lives.

The most fascinating aspect of this

35 DIM M(5)
40 K=K+1
50 A=K/2*3+4-5
60 GOSUB 100
70 FOR L=l TD 5
80 M(L)=A
90 NEXT L
100 IF K<1000 THEN 40
110 PRINT 'E'
120 END
130 RETURN

10 REM Benchmark 8
20 PRINT 'S'
30 K=0
40 K=K+1
50 A=K A 2
60 B=L0G(K)
70 C=SIN(K)
80 IF K<1000 THEN 40
90 PRINT 'E'
100 END

game is the realistic shifting of the
scenery in response to your aircraft
joystick movement. (I have never flown a
Skyhawk to compare the feeling but it's
not too dissimilar to light aircraft flying).

A beginner pilot feels considerable
overload of information (the scoring is
tricky) but with half an hour of dual
instruction and two hours solo, the game
becomes straightforward but still fun.
(After a week we were in the six-figure
class).

The cost - around $130 for this ROM
cartridge - is the main drawback for
such an enjoyable game. However,
sharing one between five people who
live reasonably close can reduce this. It
runs on the SV318 or 328 with no
attachments. Beware of buying this sort
of game in Australia in Sydney, it was
priced between $NZ105 and $170
before paying up to 80 per cent customs
duty!

Errata &
a note

In last month's article, I noted that the
sieve was, among other things a test of
the Basic Compiler. I should have said
the Basic Interpreter.

I also mentioned that the Spectravideo
2 Byte TIME counter ran at 50 cycles per
second — not quite, it is 50. 16+ -.05
seconds. The counter will therefore run
over and start again every 21 mins
46.5secs making it an awkward clock
for any times greater than 21 mins.
Question: Do the American SVs have
clock counters that run at 60 cycles per
second as per the SV manual, and does
this mean New Zealand (and Aussie) SVs
are therefore 16% slower than US
machines?

Several queries on the Spectravideo
have been received and will be dealt with
imfuture articles but further suggestions
and ideas are most welcome. Please
write to 1 1 Mawson St. Lower Hutt.

Toll-free orders

DECdirect - a toll-free service
which allows Digital customers to
order accessories and supplies direct
- is now operating from Auckland
(09) 596-991. Customers can ring
their orders free from anywhere in
New Zealand.

For Digital personal computer
owners, the service complements
the toll-free Helpline problem
solving. If the problem can't be
solved over the phone, the Helpline
staff send field service assistance
from the nearest branch office.

BITS & BYTES - March 1985 - 57

COMMODOR€ 64

Commodore — plain sailing?

By Steven Darnold

When I bought my PET in 1979,
Commodore was a relatively small
company. Apple and Tandy had the
lion's share of the microcomputer
market, and Commodore was way
behind in third place. In fourth and fifth
place were the newcomers, Atari and
Ohio Scientific, and at one stage it
appeared they would overtake
Commodore and knock it even further
back in the order.

Commodore, however, was

determined to succeed. It strove to
modify the PET and develop new
products. First, it put a new keyboard on
the PET and upgraded the BASIC. Next,
it changed the screen from white to
green and added more memory. Then it
upgraded the BASIC again; increased the
40-column display to 80 columns; and
increased the memory to 96K.

All this reshaping of the PET was too
late for the American market. The Apple
II and TRS-80 were well established, and
the PET didn't make much headway.
However, the microcomputer market
was slower to develop in Britain and the
modified PET was very successful there.
It rapidly became the number one
business microcomputer.

In America, Commodore went all out
for the home market with the VIC-20. It
had colour, graphics, and sound, but the
most imDortant feature was its low nrine.

COMMODORE 64

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TIME & COST

320 jobs - 47 employees or
cost stations. Job selective
printing. $299

Write for details to James Electronics,
Box 527, Thames, Ph 86-893 or contact
your nearest Commodore 64 dealer.

The VIC was a great success. However,
it was clear from the beginning that the
VIC was severely limited by its
22-column screen and small memory.
Nobody was surprised when the
Commodore 64 was announced.

So far, the progression from PET to
VIC to C-64 has proceeded quite
naturally. Although existing users of
Commodore computers have been
disappointed to lose compatibility, each
new computer has been a logical
progression from the last. Certainly
Commodore has made mistakes, but the
overall pattern has made sense. More
recently, however, Commodore has lost
its way.

Perhaps it's a coincidence, but
Commodore's problems began a year
ago, about the same time Jack Tramiel
left the company. At that time, VIC sales
were declining as the C-64 surged in
popularity. Quite naturally. Commodore
was thinking about dropping the VIC and
producing a new computer. Unfort-
unately, it didn't have a clue what to
produce.

It thought about producing a Z-8000
computer running Unix. It thought about
producing an IBM clone. It thought about
producing a portable computer with an
LCD screen. It thought about producing a
computer with built-in business
programs and a built-in speech
synthesiser. It thought about all sorts of
things. Commodore simply didn't know
what to do next.

In the end. Commodore decided to
produce the C-16 and the Plus 4. This
surprised me when I first heard of it
because I simply couldn't see how these
computers would fit into the scheme of
things. The C-16 is certainly an
improvement on the VIC, but the VIC is
now so out of date such comparisons are
irrelevant.

What matters is that the C-16 sells at
the same price as the Atari 800XL,
Electron, and Spectrum Plus. It simply
cannot compete with these computers.
They all have much more memory, and
the first two have better graphics and
sound. In addition, they all have lots of
software, while the C-16 has practically
none. If Commodore had released the
C-16 in 1983, it probably would have
been a great success; however, its
prospects in 1985 look decidedly
gloomy.

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The prospects for the Plus 4 are not
much better. It sells for more than the
64, but offers much less to the home
user: inferior graphics, inferior sound and
almost no software. It does have built-in
business programs, but these are pretty
limited and have been widely criticised.

The Plus 4's improved BASIC will
appeal to programmers and teachers, but
they will probably find the Electron much
more attractive in this respect (and
cheaper, too). Perhaps the 60K bytes
free will attract some people, but overall
I don't expect the Plus 4 to be a big
seller.

It is always difficult for a new
computer to become established.
Software takes about a year to build up,
and until then, even the most attractive
computer is handicapped. To succeed, a
new computer must either have lots of
exciting new features, or standard
features at a much lower price. Neither
the C-16 nor the Plus 4 do this.

Both computers are aberrations; they
do not point to the future; they do not
indicate where Commodore is going. For
this, we must look to recent
developments. There, we will find, not
just one pointer to the future, but two.

In January, Commodore exhibited a
new computer at the Consumer
Electronics Show. It has 128K of RAM,
an 80-column screen, and an advanced
new BASIC. All of the RAM is available
to BASIC programs, with 64K allocated
to the program itself and 64K allocated
to variables and arrays.

This C-128 computer has no problem
with software because it has two special
modes. One mode will run 100% of C-64
programs; the other will run CP/M
programs. Thus, the C-128 will arrive
with a truly huge library of programs
already available.

The second pointer to the future is the
Amiga computer, which Commodore is
due to exhibit soon. It has outstanding
graphics and sound, but its most
significant aspect is that it uses the
68000 microprocessor. This chip is
already used in the Apple Macintosh and
Sinclair QL and is at the heart of the new
Atari ST. It is likely the 68000 will
become the standard microprocessor of
the 1990s.

The C-128 and Amiga fit nicely into
the Commodore line. The Amiga will take
several years to become fully
established, and in the meantime the
C-128 will provide the expanded
memory, enhanced BASIC and
80-column screen, which the C-64
lacks, without sacrificing software
compatibility.

There's really no place for the C-16
and Plus 4. It's a waste of resources
producing and advertising them. The
sooner Commodore realises this, the
better. This is particularly important

Turn to page 76

58 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

C-VIC 20 "SB&S3S&'

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ZAP BOOM POW — 30 Great arcade games lo type in and save.

Normal 39 95 Special 19.95

VIC INNOVATIVE COMPUTING —30 Program listings to type in

everything from arcade games to chess

Normal 32 00 Special 15.95

MASTERING THE VTC-20 — A wealth ot information covering

programming in Basic and Machine Code, using peripherals

sucn as disk drives and pnnters high res graphics etc etc.

Normal 29.95 Special 14.95

GET MORE FROM THE VIC-20 — A user friendly guide for the

beginner and the more experienced user includes a host of

routines to provide reliable and effective short cuts to competent

arogramming.
ormal 19 95 Special 9.95
GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH YOUR V1C-20 — Leads the
reader step by step from the absolute basics of programming to
writing complex programs. It illustrates these with over 50 prog-
rams and games
Normal 32 00 Special 15.95

VIC-BASIC — Create your own programs using sound and
graphics

Normal 39.95 Special 17.95
VIC GRAPHICS — 38 dazzling graphic programs.
Normal 32.00 Special 15.95

VIC-20 EXPOSED — An easy-to-follow in-depth explanation of
the VIC-20 system.
Normal 29.95 Special 14.95

VIC REVEALED — A look inside the VIC-20's hardware
capabilities.

Normal 32.00 Special 13.95

LEARNING TO USE THE VIC-20 — the true beginners guide.
Normal 1 6 95 Special 8.95

ILLUSTRATING COMPUTERS — the simple way to understand
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Software

VICWRITER — Ion disk or cassette) a full powered program to
turn your computer into a wordprocessor and let you create bus-
iness and personal letters, reports, mailing lists and labels.
Normal 129 95 Special 59.95

SIMPLICALC — (on disk or cassette) and electronic spread-
sheet calculator, with this package you can produce home bud-
Sets, balance sheet estimates, price lists markups ets.
ormal 129.95 Special 59.95
VICFILE — a disk based comprehensive information handling
system for both business and home. Typical applications: Per-
sonnel files, mailing lists, home inventory, record collections.
Normal 129 95 Special 59.95

KNOW YOUR OWN IQ — A series of tests to enable you to as-
sess your own IQ Automatic and tamperproof.
Normal 69 95 Special 34.95

KNOW YOUR CHILDS IQ. — A series Of tests to enable you to
test and assess the performance potential and achievement of
your child. Improves performance in school tests.
Normal 69 95 Special 34.95

ROBERT CARRIERS MENU PLANNER — Helps you plan and
prepare a variety of interesting and practical meals for your fam-
ily and friends

Normal 69.95 Special 34.95

VIC MONEY MANAGER — an easy to use program for house-
hold and personal accounts.
Normal 69 95 Special 34.95
INTRODUCTION TO BASIC PART 1
INTRODUCTION TO BASIC PART 2 — A comprehensive teach
yourself programming course — each includes a series ot use-
ful programs on cassette.
Normal 43.50 Special 19.95 y\ \ <S

3K RAM CARTRIDGE — Expand the memory of your VIC
Normal 59 95 Special 29.95

PROGRAMMERS AID CARTRIDGE — adds a whole range of
commands to the computer to allow you to write, edit and
debug programs more easily. — You can renumber and delete
program lines, find variables, trace each step merge programs
and much more.
Normal 39 95 Special 19.95

PROGRAM SIX PACKS — Recreation Pack — six seperate
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Normal 69 95 Special 34.95

HOME CALC PACK — Includes Personal Finance, Typewriter
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Normal 69 95 Special 34.95

CHALKSOFT EDUCATION TAPES — A series ol programs to
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vaders, Metncs Quiz, Sequences. Pascals Triangle, Invisible
Man, each

Normal 12 95 Special 6.95

ASK EDUCATION TAPES — A very Highly rated series of prog-
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Hide and Seek. Shape up, Facemaker, Number Gulper, Twister,
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Normal 19 95 Special 9.95

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Filing systems

By Dick Williams

This month, we will take a look at
some aspects of filing systems and the
way we can use them at home or in
business. I will take you through the
development of an easy filing program
which you should find very useful.

First, we have to introduce you to
strings. These are, as the name
suggests, a string of characters. A list of
names means very little to the computer,
but the same list of names, when
converted to strings, can be worked on
by the computer in a wide variety of
ways.

Strings provide the means for sorting
names into alphabetical order, searching
for a name in a list or finding information
buried deep in a large quantity of
information.

Here is the name of a string — A$. The
$ sign indicates a string. Now we will
name A$ equal to something:
A$ "BROWN H 75 EAST STREET 88754"
We can tell the computer that A$ =
everything between the speech marks
and any time we require this data, we tell
the computer to print A$ and it will do
so.

We can also have strings in this form:
A$(1)= and A$(2)= and so on.
This is quite handy because we can have
a whole family of strings all named AS (a
string) and differentiated from each
other by the number in the bracket.
AS(1)= "BROWN H 75 EAST STREET"
A$(2)= "JONES D 4 GREEN LANE"
A$(3)= "ANDERSON S 12 BEACH STREET"

We have set up only three strings but
we could have 50 or 100 or more
depending on your computer's memory
capacity and the length of each string. A
hundred strings, each 100 characters
long (about 3 screen lines), would
require about 10K of memory. That's
quite a lot of information and well worth
organising a file program to store and
retrieve it.

Assuming that somehow we have put
the three strings, AS(1), A$(2), and
A$(3), into the computer's memory, we
will need a way to key in one letter. The
computer should respond by printing on
the screen, string 1, string 2 or string 3.

The easiest way to arrange this is to
tell the computer to look at the letter we
will be typing in, then look at all the
strings in its memory (three) and print the
one that starts with the letter typed in.

We need an input line to collect the
letter from the keyboard:
40 INPUT "1ST LETTER OF NAME"; K$
When the computer sees this line, it will
wait until you type in a letter and press
the CR key. It will place that letter in K$
(K string). The next line will do the
comparison of the letter typed in at the
keyboard with the first letter of each
string.
50 IF K$ = LEFT$(A$,1 ) THEN PRINT A$

This compares K$ with the left-hand
part of A$ for one position (which is the
first left-hand letter) and if a match

60 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

exists, the computer will print the entire
string.

We now need some way to make the
strings held in the computer memory go
past the letter typed in from the
keyboard so that a match, if one exists,
can be noted by the computer and the
matching string printed on the screen.

In addition, we have to tell the
computer how to identify and keep track
of the correct string so that when it
prints a string on the screen, it is the one
we want.

The FOR-NEXT routine will enable all
the stings in the memory to be examined
one at a time. This is used this way:
45 FOR P=1 TO 3
60 NEXT P

When these two lines are added to the
others, the computer will be able to look
at string one and see if the first letter
matches our keyed-in letter. If it does,
that string will be printed and the. next
string examined. If not, that string is put
to one side and string number two
checked.

This is a most important aspect of our
file program and the exact method by
which the computer is persuaded to look
at each of the strings is not always clear
to beginners. So just for the moment, we
will concentrate on the lines of program
which make it work:
40 INPUT "1ST LETTER OF NAME"; KS
45 FOR P=1 TO 3

50 IF K$ = LEFT$ (A$,1) THEN PRINT A$
60 NEXT P

These four lines of code form the basis
of the program but need a small
alteration because the computer will be
looking at A$ and we don't have an A$ in
the memory. We have A$(1) A$(2) and
A$(3) as defined previously but no A$.

We have to make an alteration to line
50 so that the computer will check A$(1 )
first then AS20 and finally A$(3). Note
that the only difference between each
string is the number in the bracket (1 ) (2)
(3).

If we could find a way to alter this
number each time the computer was
looking at the strings, we would be right.
Fortunately, there is a very simple way to
do this. Note that line 45 is the start of a
FOR/NEXT routine with P taking the
values 1 , then 2, then 3. This is just what
we need to keep track of each string and
is used this way:

50 IF KS = LEFTS(AS ,1) THEN PRINT A$
50 IF K$ = LEFT$(A$|P), 1) THENPRINT A$(P)

The two lines old and new are shown
for comparison and the all-important
difference is the inclusion of (P). When
P=1 then A$(P) is the same as A$(1).
When P=2 then A$(P) is the same as
A$(2), and when P=3, A$P=A$(3)

The core of our first file program will
now be:

40 INPUT "1ST LETTER OF NAME"; K$
45 FOR P=1 TO 3

50 IF KS = LEFT$(AS(P), 1) THENPRINT AS(P)
60 NEXT P

All we need now is a method of putting

the strings into the computer. Although
there are other ways, at this stage we
will stay with the simple but effective
method of giving a line number to each
individual string.

10 A*U ) = "BR0UIN H 75 EAST STREET"

20 0«(2)="J0NES D 1 GREEN LANE"

30 A«C3)="ANDERS0N S 12 BEP.CH STREET"

35 CLS

40 INPUT "1ST LETTER OF NflHE "IK*

45 FOR P=l TO 3

50 IF KS=LEFTSCP.*CPJ,13THENPRINT A*CP)

60 NEXT P

70 FOR H=l TO 100:NEXT H:G0T0 35

80 REP H IN LINE 70 IS P. DELP.T

Type this all in and run. The computer
will prompt for a first letter and since
there are only three strings of
information in the memory, you can
respond with B, J or A and watch the
relevant string appear on the screen.

Having used this program for a while
you should find there are some
limitations which will preclude using it
for serious work. This is a big advantage
in gaining experience in that you can see
and be involved in the steps towards
initiating and refining a rough program
into a workable one.

The next step is to identify as far as
possible any failings and to incorporate
suitable modifications. First, we see that
any further information added must be
accompanied by an increase in the range
of P. Suppose we add one further string;
this will have to be A$(4) and line 45
would have to be FOR P=1 TO 4.

Otherwise we would end up with four
pieces of information and the computer
would look at only three of them.

An automatic counting mechanism is
needed to keep an eye on the number of
items of information. One way to do this
is to make the computer count the
strings and when it sees one at the end
such as "LAST" or "END", it recognises
there is no more information and stops
the count at that point.

There should be a method of inputting
more than one letter from the keyboard
so that where there may be 10 or more
names starting with the same letter, only
the one of interest is extracted from the
computer memory.

A small addition to line 50 to do this is:
50 IF KS=LEFT$ (A$(P), 1) ETC. OLD
50 IF K$ = LEFT S(AKP), LEN(KS)) ETC. NEW
The old line 50 allows a search to only
one position, — the first letter —
whereas the new line 50 allows a search
up to as many letters as are typed in.
LEN(K$) means length of K$. If there are
names, Andrews, Abbot, Anderson and
Anker in memory, inputting ABB would
give a match with only Abbot.

It is also important, having found the
required information, to be able to add to
or alter any of it quickly and easily. In this
type of program, the best way to do this
is to place a pointer in the information so
that you know where it is held.
10A$(1)= "BROWN H 75 EAST STREET 10"

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By adding 1 somewhere in the string,
/ve know immediately that it is held in
ine number 10.

Another point requiring attention is
how to leave sufficient room for the
strings. The way the program is means
there is not enough space for other than
a few more without running into the
program lines.

One solution is to put the program first
and the strings after it. This leads to
another problem because when strings
are before the main program, the
computer automatically reads them on
its way to the program. But if the strings
are placed after the main program, it will
not read the strings and has to be told to
do so.

If you think you will have more than 1
items of information in your file program,
it will be necessary to set aside space in
the computer string storage area by
using a DIM command.

DIM (short for dimension) reserves
string space and must be done first.
Suppose you intend making up a large
file of 1 50 pieces of information, you will
have to reserve at least 1 50 string places
- DIM (1 50) and, to be on the safe side,
200 would be better.

Here is the modified file program
incorporating aspects discussed and
using data statements to hold the
information. The computer will read each
data line into an individual string.

5 R"EM FILE PROGRAM 2

6 REM —READ DATA INTO STRINGS

10 CLS:DIM A*C200J:J=1

20 READ AtCJJUF A*CJ1="? END"THEN 40

25 J-J + ] :REH COUNTING NUMBER OF DATA

26 GOTO 20: REM SEE IF ANT HORE DATA

30 REM INPUT PART

40 INPUT "1ST LETRCS5 OF NAPE ? " ;K* :
BEEP:PRINT: REM K* HOLDS INPUT LETRCSJ

45 REH SEARCH PART

50 FOR P=l TO J

60 IF K*=LEFT*CA«CPJ,LENCK*)UHEN PRIN

T A*CPJ

65 NEXT P:REn SEARCH STRINGS FOR [1ATCH

68 REM SCREEN CONTROL

70 PRINT :PRINT " PRESS CR KET FOR

NEW NAriE":BEEP
80 J* = INKET*:IF J*OCHR*C131 THEN 80
90 BEEP:CLS:G0TO 40: REH BACK TO INPUT

85 REH DATA STARTS NEXT

100 DATA JONES FRED 100 PHONE 88888
B'DAY 4'8/59. 23 GROUE LANE EAST. WORKS

AT GRAT flETAL PHONE 777??. CHILDREN
MAX B'DAY 16/5/-82 LTNDA 3/-2^84

101 DATA

102 DATA

50000 DATA 2 END

5 REH FILE PROGRAM 3

10 CLS:RESTORE :ERASE

15 INPUT "1ST LETRCS) OF NAME ? ";K*:

BEEP=PRINT

20 PRINT "DONT PANIC I'M LOOKING"

25 FOR P=l TO 1000:READ A*:IF A*="END

OF DATA" THEN 80

30 IF K*=LEFT*CA*,LENCK*)) THEN PRINT

A*:BEEP

35 REH SCREEN CONTROL LINES 40 TO 65—

40 GOTO 65

62 - BITS & BYTES - Match 1985

45 N*=INKET*:IF N« = "" THEN 45

50 IF N*=CHR*C13) THEN BEEP:G0T0 10

55 IF NSOCHRJC32] THEN 45

60 PRINT "RUN" :G0T0 70

65 N*>INKEY*:IFNS=CHR*C32)THEN BEEP:PR

INT:PRINT"HALTED— SB TO CONTINUE CR

TO NEW":F0R 2=1 TO 100:NEXT 2 :G0T0 45

70 NEXT P

75 REM NEW NAME-

80 PRINT :PRINT " PRESS CR KEY FOR

NEW NAME" :BEEP
85 J*=INKEY*:IF JSOCHRSC133 THEN 85
90 BEEP:CLS:GOTO 10

100 REM DATA STARTS NEXT

101 DATA THIS IS WHERE THE DATA GOES.
ALL THIS WILL BE PRINTED ON THE SCREEN

IF THE KEY LETTER T IS TYPED IN. ANY
OTHER DATA STARTING WITH T WILL ALSO
BE DISPLAYED. 101 LINE NUMBER POINTER.
NO COMMA'S IN DATA.Louier case NUMBERS

1234567890

4000 DATA TH0I1AS 4000 RADID/CASS OK J

4003 DATA JAMES 4003 CAR STEREO OK J

50000 DATA END OF DATA

This program will enable you to store
and retrieve all sorts of data all keyed
from the left-hand letters of the data.
You can have abut 235 characters per
data entry but do not use commas
anywhere within the data.

Leaving a space between the word
data and the first letter of the actual data
allows you, when prompted for the 1st
letter(s), to input a blank by pressing the
CR key and the search will key off all the
spaces and print the entire list of data.

If you find that one group of 235
characters is not sufficient to hold all
particulars on an item, it is quite feasible
to have a second data group using the
same left-hand key word. To illustrate
this point, here are a few entries from my
deep freeze file: 120 data meat120
sausages lambchops shoulder b/qsteaks
mince sirloin jan 121 data meat121
chuckstuck potroast cornedbeef

porkchops steak&kidney feb.

There is a lot more data than shown
here — about 20 data sets, each six
screen lines long, listing everything in the
deep freeze in categories (meat, chicken,
fish, bread, veges, fruit etc) and when
we should think about eating it.

You could keep a file of all your friends
and relatives with address, phone
number, birthday etc. For business, there
are several applications: you can keep a
record of goods sold to help maintain
minimum stock levels; you can retain
records of stock ordered and when it is
scheduled for delivery to control
company debt.

At work, we have started putting
customer repair work on file using the job
number as line numbers. When
customers ring in to see if their TV or
other equipment is repaired, we have
only to key in the first one or two letters
of their name to see if it is finished:
3516 DATA JAMES 3516 PHILIPS CTU OK H
Keying in J presents JAMES 3516
PHILIPS CTV OK H on screen. This tells
whoever has answered the phone that

the colour TV for James is OK, plus the
job number and who repaired it. This
simple line of information helps
tremendously in the smooth running of
the service department. When the repair
is picked up and paid for, the data is
erased.

This type of file system is ideal for
small companies requiring efficient
systems but unable to afford dearer
equipment.

The only problem I have found with
this file program is that all data is read
into the strings at the beginning of the
program, so the same information is, in
effect, held in two places in the
computer's memory — once in the line
numbers and also, after program run, in
the computer string storage area. This is
not good because it halves the amount of
data which can be stored.

I decided the loss of memory could be
avoided by making the computer read
each data statement one at a time so
that only one string would be active at
any given time. This approach produced
the desired effect of doubling the data
storage capacity, plus several other
advantages — the DIM statement is no
longer required and the search code is
even shorter.

There are four additions to this
program. The first is a way to halt the
screen scrolling so that you can study
the information; the second is a don't
panic message; the third is RESTORE;
and the fourth is ERASE.

The first two are straightforward and
RESTORE and ERASE control the string
storage area. RESTORE is vital because,
having read the data once, the computer,
in effect, hides it. RESTORE does as its
name suggests — it restores the data
and allows it to be read again. ERASE
clears the string storage area of any
prevjous strings or remnants of strings.

When using this program for business,
I abbreviate the data as much as possible
to conserve the computer memory. I try
to cram each data entry into one screen
line using the right-hand edge of the
screen as a stop.

There is not much point in having a lot
of information in each data entry if you
run out of memory. In addition, compact
data means less time in loading and
saving programs to cassette. At home,
the file can hold a lot of data with all
relevant information noted in the data
lines, while for business purposes, one
main use is to provide fast access to
important information, particularly for
small companies.

Next month, I will show you how to
adapt this program to keep track of
costing for job tenders and material
costs for work in progress.

Record year

Burroughs Corporation had record
orders and revenue last year.
Revenue worldwide was up 1 1 % to
$US4.8 billion, and net income up
24% to $US244.9 million.

BBC

.v.s^wov.T.XOXvXoy-v-w^^^

K.v.v.v.v.v.v.vov.v.v.;™^

Paths for a growing Beeb

By Pip Forer

Last month, we spent some time
speculating on where Acorn might go
next with new model Beebs. 1985 has
started with a lot of developments on the
other front: how to expand the system
you have. Three new options in
particular may interest BBC and Electron
owners.

One is the announcement by Watford
Electronics of a 32K RAM/ROM card.
The nicety with this particular beast is
that it can double in two very different
roles - it can support screen memory in
the style of boards such as the Aries
board, or it can be used to hold ROM
software downloaded from disk. The
switchover is software controlled.

This means the user can enjoy greatly
enhanced program space in the high
resolution graphics modes or equally,
avoid congestion on the ROM slots by
flipping utilities in and out of the RAM as
required. For network users faced by the
new LOGO and PASCAL in twin ROM
sets, the 32K size seems ideal.

A second development is the
announcement of the new ADFS
(advanced disk filing system). I had a
chance to evaluate one of these on the
new Electron disk drives, and found both
the ADFS and the 3.5in drives
impressive. For Electron owners, the
drive is especially nice, clipping rigidly to
the side of the machine and making a
very compact and manageable unit. The
disks are of the same capacity as an
80-track disk but come in the currently
favoured (and far more robust and
storable) rigid, self-sealing disk cases
used on many recent business machines.

The ADFS is not designed just for the
3.5in format however, but as an
alternative system on any BBC drive. It
uses the same disk access commands
from BASIC as the original DOS but
offers several enhancements, including a
fully-fledged directory structure, fewer
problems with file extension and the
availability of far more and longer file
names. In fact, as predicted in this
column a while ago, it is very much a
single user version of Econet II.

The directory system is a vast
extension on DOS, where the only
directory names allowed are single
characters (i.e. V.MYWORD or
$. SCRAM). Each directory name can be
10 letters long and directories can be
nested, as in $. STELLA.

DATA. CASHFLOW. Options in the
system allow the programmer to drop
users into particular directories at boot
up time. This has implications for uses
such as assessment sessions in an
educational environment where it is now
simple for each student to have his or her
own dedicated area of disk to store
records.

ADFS disks are physically structured
differehtly from DOS ones, but utilities
are provided for passing files either way
between the two systems. ADFS disks

are also differently structured from
Econet disks, but the similar file
conventions on both systems should
make transfer of programs developed on
a single user system on to Econet simpler
than for DOS (not that there is much to it
anyway in many cases).

ADFS and the Electron drives are not
expected in quantity until early winter.
Even further away, but of interest if you
are really worried about RAM space is
Acorn's rumoured new C - a machine
with a built-in modem using the 16-bit
65C816 chip, as pin-compatible chip
that runs the 6502 instruction set but
has an address space of 16M6 (see
Acorn User, January 1985). Did
someone say this could become a
crowded corner of the marketplace?

Believed to be closer is the 32016 co-
processor still yet to be sighted outside
of Cambridge. The official Acorn
specification sheet is in circulation and
read very well for the devoted
programmer. With 256K RAM, the
3201 6 in the co-processor runs at 6MHz
and will include the 32-bit floating point
arithmetic chip as standard. It will also
come with BBC BASIC, C, Fortran, LISP
and PASCAL as standard. All the
languages but the BBC BASIC version
will support the 32-bit precision
arithmetic. The operating system for all
the languages except the BASIC is
PANOS. Rumoured to be the name of an
exclusive Greek restaurateur in
Cambridge rather than anything more
gradiose.

Perhaps sensibly given its market, this
is a proprietary system and reportedly

supports all the latest conveniences such
as multiple windows for program
execution, editing etcetera. PANOS is
designed to offer compatibility with all
existing BBC systems but it also offers
extensions through alternative software
interfacing that will preserve program
portability. With three large volumes of
documentation (excluding language
manuals), this is clearly going to be a
complex product which will require
concerted evaluation in the flesh. I
promise not to mention it again until I
actually see one.

Which brings us to a final wind-up on
the new language releases, a task
complicated by the fact that other,
apparently substantial, new PASCALS
and LOGOs have also appeared from
third parties in the last two months. One
suspects though that these "official"
versions will set the tone.

LOGO is a very nice implementation
and the documentation is copious and
well written. Among the material is an
80-page tutorial introduction to LOGO by
Barry Morrell and a very comprehensive
reference guide. Nice things about
Acornsoft LOGO include compatibility
with normal BBC filing systems, access
to various facilities such as the VDU
commands, and access to multiple
turtles which can be created and killed
during programs.

Having the BBC's graphics quality is a
strong start and all modes can be used,
with text and graphics freely
intermingled. Junior schools, with an eye
to running floor turtles (which doodle on
the floor rather than the screen), will be

Video disks & training

In Britain, Acorn has established a
separate company to manage the
integration of video-disks for training
and education and has produced a
control interface standardised on the

Pioneer Laservision player. Special
units are available for training (and as
a feather in Kiwi caps they are still
waiting to have a VHS video-tape
system operational at twice the price
of Barson's CAVII).

The New Zealand l\

Personal

Computer

Exhibition
Overseas Terminal

Auckland
9-10-11 May 1985

BITS & BYTES - March 1985 - 63

BBC

•x<*x*:*Xv:-:v:vX*x-x*:-:-:v:^^

glad to know that commands for driving
such a turtle through LOGO and the user
port are built in to the interpreter.

I have only one criticism: the editor is
functional and easy to use but not
particularly powerful. Its main advantage
is that it builds on from the normal use of
the arrow keys but it's a pity that it fails
to use the special function keys for items
such as "delete character". Acorn has
established some common ground in the
use of the SF keys in View and
Viewsheet and it would have been good
for users if the same conventions could
have been carried over into the
languages.

The same is true of the PASCAL
editor, which is far more powerful and
uses the SF keys. But not in a manner
entirely consistent with View. If you
don't use View, this may not matter too
much but in an educational environment
a consistent editor interface would have
been a nice design feature. This may be
niggling though, as the PASCAL system
has some nice features for a machine of
its type.

Compiling of small development
programs can be done within memory
which, for small class programs, means
fast compiling. Working with the
environment is, in fact, fast allround
since minimal disk access time is needed
to get users in and out of the editor or
compiler or run the code.

The interface to the BBC is beautifully
standard with not only standard disk
formats but also full access to MOS and
VDU calls and machine code routines
assembled via BASIC (its ability to
segment large programs into
independently compiled modules is,
however, limited). It has a good compile
time but more limited run-time error
trace. A professional programmer friend,
who has widespread experience of micro
PASCALS, was particularly impressed by
its ability to use variant records and
conformal array parameters on the disk-
based version. Note that the ROM-based
version differs from the disk one (only for
second processors) in supporting a lower
level of ISO implementation but offering
an environment with fewer disk access
requirements.

Some brief experiments suggest speed
advantage over BASIC varies between
negative to notable. As we noted before,
the compiler compiles to intermediate
code. . . hence the slower speed and the
fact that for the moment, only other
PASCAL users who have a run-time
module can run your code. But it can be
fast in what can be a very tedious area -
compilation. The language also comes
with a book that seems a highly
promising volume for all us poor hackers
trying to gain respect with our
colleagues. From BASIC to PASCAL is a
very practical concept for an
introductory guide for most of us.

Next month, a review of the MX-
mouse which delivers some startling
implementations of the concepts used in
the Apple Macintosh's MacPaint. Could
it be the basis of a mouse-oriented user
environment on the Beeb. . . and if not,
why not?

64 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

>w->:* K.K-:-: wx-:*x«*ra*%x*^

SP€CTRUM

MWMMMNmOMMMMQWMH9MMM4W

Faster BASIC

By Gary Parker

I'll never forget the first game program
I wrote in BASIC. It was a maze game on
the ZX81 , written in the structured style
I had learnt for PASCAL, with many
subroutines neatly placed at the end of
the 1 program. I was in for a shock when I
ran it. The little man took several
seconds to make each move! At that
point, it began to dawn on me that
perhaps easy-to-read, structured
programs were not the fastest programs.
Now I'm sure: the worse a program
looks, the faster it runs. This month's
column covers ways to make programs
run faster. Sticklers for neatness and
structure should look the other way.

To understand how to make a program
run faster, you should understand how
the interpreter works. The interpreter is
the part of the Spectrum (and all BASIC
computers) which turns each line of your
BASIC program into machine code as it
comes to it, and runs it. Since the
interpreter must convert each line while
the program is running, execution speed
can be improved considerably by making
the interpreter's job easier.

First, take care to do things the
simplest possible way when writing a
program. Avoid repetitive calculations.
For example, if two variables, A and B,
seldom change value, don't repeatedly
calculate:
X = A + B + C

Instead, add A and B and put them into a
variable D once, and then use:
X = D + C

Expressions should be arranged so
that as little as possible need be
evaluated. For example, in this
expression:

IF A = 4 AND D = 5 THEN GO TO 600
both equations are checked to see if they
are true. But if you were to use THEN IF
rather than AND, only the first
expression would be tested. If it was not
true, the interpreter could move on:
IF A = 4 THEN IF D = 5 THEN GO TO 600
This works just the same as the previous
line, but runs about twice as fast when A
isn't 4.

Tests for zero seem to be slightly
faster than tests for other numbers. So
arrange for numbers in loops, etc to
count down to zero instead of up to a
particular value. Rather than:
10 LET A =
20 LET A = A + 1
30 IF A = 50 THEN GO TO 200
use:

10 LET A = 50
20 LET A = A - 1
30 IF A = THEN GO TO 200
Using loops like this is also faster than
FOR-NEXT loops. FOR lines with STEP
are particularly slow.

Logical (8oolean) operations are fast.
See Bits & Bytes (April 1 984) for more
details on these. As a couple of
examples:

LET X = X + (INKEYS = "8") - (INKEYS =
"5")

is faster than

IF INKEYS = "8" THEN LET X = X + 1

IF INKEYS = "5" THEN LET X = X - 1

and

LET H = |Y = 1)

is (aster than

IF Y = 1 THEN LET H = 1

IF Y < > 1 THEN LET H =

Many of the methods which speed up
running speed rely on the way the
interpreter finds each line. Each time you
use a GO TO or GO SUB, the interpreter
begins at the start of the program, and
looks at every line until it finds the one
you want to go to. So the more lines
there are before the section of program
being used, the slower that section will
run. This means the most often-used
sections should be at the start of the
program, not at the end where they are
usually placed.

Often, programs have all their
variables declared at the start, and then
the program itself begins. It would be
faster to have the variables declared in a
subroutine at the end of the program.
You should also avoid GO TOs to high
line numbers, and perhaps use multi-
statement lines to reduce the number of
lines.

The variables you use are stored in
memory in the order you declare them,
and the interpreter searches through this
memory every time you use a variable.
So declare the more often-used variables
first. This will mean the interpreter can
find them more quickly, allowing the
program to run faster. For example, if
you often use X and Y in a program, but
seldom alter A, then declare them in this
order:

1000 LET X = 22
1010 LET Y = 32
1020 LET A = 45

If you use only a few variables, this
won't make much difference. But if you
have a lot of variables or large arrays or
strings, running speed can be
substantially improved.

Finally, consider using machine code
routines for simple, often-used
processes. If you don't feel up to the
task of writing the routines, a look
through the computer magazines (such
as last month's Bits & Bytes) will often
reveal the ones you want.

Apple record

Apple Computer Inc has
announced net sales of $US698.3
million for the first quarter of the
1985 financial year. This represents
a 121% increase over the $US316.2
million in the first quarter last year.

Net income increased nearly
eightfold to $US46.1 million from
$US5.8 million in the same period
last year. These sales and profit
levels represent a company record.

Einstein

SCIENTIFIC LTD

COMPUTERS
PERIPHERALS
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HOME COMPUTERS

• Atari 400 Computer S239.00

• Atari 600XL Computer 5399.00

Atari 800X1- with program recorder, joystick and

7 programs $799.00

BBC Personal Computer S CALL

Commodore SX-64 SI995.00

• Commodore Vic-20 SI99.00

Commodore C16 Computer $495.00

Commodore C64 $ CALL

Commodore Plus 4 Computer S995.00

• Spectrum I6K 2 programs and power

supply included SI99.00

• Spectrum 4SK 2 programs power supply included. . .S349.00

• Sampo Program Recorder. S75.00

• Colour Genie $195.00

Electron $695.00

Spectrovideo 318 Computer with cassette unit and

4 programs $595.00

Spcclravideo 328 Computer 5 CALL

BUSINESS COMPUTERS

Sord IS 1 1 32K portable $ CALL

Apple I IE $ CALL

Apple Macintosh 5 CALL

Apple III $ CALL

Hewlett Packard HPI10 $ CALL

Hewlett Packard HPI50 5 CALL

Epson HX-20 (prc-owncd) $1495.00

COMPUTER MONITORS

• BMC Green Screen $199.00

• AGC Green Screen $199.00

Ingcrsoll Colour w/sound $ CALL

Commodore 1701 Colour w/sound $895.00

Mitsubishi Amber Screen 5 CALL

Mitsubishi Green Screen $ CALL

COMPUTER PRINTERS AMI
ELECTRONIC TYPEWRITERS

Juki 6100 Daisy Wheel $1595.00

Commodore DPS 1 101 Daisy Wheel 5 CALL

• Commodore MPS 801 dot matrix $495.00

Commodore MPS 802 dot matrix $ CALL

Commodore MPS 803 dot matrix $ CALL

Commodore 1 520 printer/plotter $ 1 99.00

• Terminal lOOCPSdol matrix $525,00

• Epson MX80 F/T $ CALL

• CP 80 dot matrix $555.00

• LTRI Letter Quality Printer 5495.00

Rilcman Plus. . . Save $$$ $695.01)

Ritcmnn II 160 cps lull featured IBM compatible

Centronics $995.00

Rilcman 15 160 cps 15' - top of the line printer 51995.00

PRINTERS * TYPEWRITERS CONT'D

• Star 15 inch dot matrix 5995.00

• Adler Gabriel Typewriter with Centronics interface. $1995.00

• Brother EP44 Tvpewritcr/Printer, battery option. . .5725.00

• Brother HR5 primer.- 5395.00

• Olivetti ET231 professional word processor

BARGAIN $4500.00

• Telewriter Electronic typewriter 5475.00

DISK DRIVES

Commodore 1541 $ CALL

Commodore SFDI001 I meg $1395.00

Laser (Commodore Compatible) $695.00

• VCI (Commodore Compatible) 5895.00

VC2 Dual Drive SI995.00

CONSUMABLES AND MISC
DISKS

• 8' Datalifc or 3M SSDD (10s) 569.00

• 8' DalaIireor3M DSDD(IOs) 589.00

Ultra 5.25'SSSD (20s) S89.95

CD 5.25" SSSD. (Plastic Box 10s) $52.95

OTHER

CIO Data Cassettes (10s) 522.95

Disk Storage Boxes (Holds 50) 539.95

COMMODORE 64 SOFTWARE
DISK BASED (BUSINESS)

Easy Scrip 5109.95

Supcrbase 64 5249.95

Calc Result (Easy) $149.95

Calc Result (Advanced) 5299.00

Datapro Database $56.95

DISK BASED (ENTERTAINMENT)

Flight Simulator 1 1 (Sublogic) $109.95

Summer Games (Epyx). . , S59.95

Ghoslbusters ( Activision) $39.95

Raid over Moscow (Access) $34.95

Beach Head (Access) $34.95

Eureka (Handic) $74.95

Moon Buggy (Anirog). 534.95

Cybolron (Anirog) $34.95

Petch (Anirog) $34,95

Music Construction Set (E/Aris) $79.95

Incredible Music Keyboard (S & S) S89.95

Archon (Electronic Arts) $79.95

Ultima II (Sierra) $79.95

Zaxxon (Synapse) $59.95

• = While Existing Slocks Last

CASSETTE BASED (ENTERTAINMENT)

Motor Mania $14.95

Supcrcuda $14.95

Gridrunner (Llamasoft) 512.95

Beach Head (Access) 529.95

Raid over Moscow (Access) $29.95

Tapper (Sega) S29.95

Attack of the Mutant Camels 515.95

Svnihv 64 S45.00

Matrix (Llamasoft) $14.95

ATARI SOFTWARE

Seven Cities of Gold (disk) $79.95

Flight Simulator II (disk) 5129.00

Intruder (tape I6K) $14.95

Syn Calc (disk) $199.00

Syn File (disk) $199.00

Battv Builders (tape) $22.95

Solo Flight (tape 48K) 549.95

River Raid (tape 48K) $47.95

Pitfall II (tape) $44.95

Prcppic II (tape) 549.95

Dallas Quest (disk) $59.95

Beach Head (tape) $44.95

Hovvcr Bovver (tape) $29.95

MANY, MANY more titles in stock for personal shopping or S
CALL.

SPECTRUM SOFTWARE

A very wide selection of Spectrum soflw-arc is available priced
from S9.95 to $39.95 with most of the software priced under
$20.00. Spectrum interfaces and microdrives are available at
BARGAIN BASEMENT PRICES. Come in and make an offer
SAVE $SS.

OTHER SOFTWARE
We stock a very wide range of software for COMMODORE 64,
VIC20, ATARI. SPECTRUM, SPECTRAVIDEO. BBC. AND
ELECTRON. Come in and sec. SAVE $S$.

Comprehensive NEW range of 'Fountain' software - Sec
'FOUNTAIN MARKETING' advertisement for complete
listing of programs and prices. From S9.95.

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available at our Wellington Branch. 177 Willis Street. Any
reasonable offers are welcome for any of this equipment. SAVE
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EINSTEIN SCIENTIFIC
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CHRISTCHURCH

:-:w:-:-:-:-xo:v:o:-:-:v:v:-:-:vXv:v

TRS80/SYST€M 80

.X-:-:*:^:v:::*:-:*::::::x-:::-x-:-xx:::->^

Keeping track of information

By Gordon Findlay

Last month, we discussed the way
information is recorded on a disk, leaving
it at a point where we had considered
writing and reading information in
sectors and tracks. But for day to day
use, track and sector access to the
information on a disk is neither needed
nor practical.

There are some situations in which it is
useful to access, say, track 1 1 , sector 5.
This sort of access is used, for example,
to modify protected programs, or DOS
itself, to recover files accidentally
deleted and so on. But the mention of
files gives away the more usual way of
storing information.

A file is a block of data on disk, with a
name. The data might really be data -
names and addresses, say - or a
program file, or a BASIC program
suitably encoded. It is much easier to
store a BASIC program and load it back
again using a name like GAME2/BAS
rather than remembering that the
program is stored in track 18, sectors
10-19, and track 23, sectors 0-4! It is
the function of the disk operating system
to look after all such details - where
each file is physically located in terms of
tracks and sectors and what space is full
- and to allow us to refer to files by
name.

A file saved by name may not occupy
one block of space on the disk - it may
be stored in several parts, depending on
what spaces are available. DOS needs to
keep track of what is where, and so uses
some disk space to store the index to the
disk. This file is the directory, and may
be found in the file DIR/SYS. Other files
are necessary to actually store the
operating system itself - these are files
SYSO/SYS. SYS1/SYS, etc, or
sometimes DOSO/SYS . . . These files
are usually invisible to you, and you will
notice they are on the disk only because
they use up sp'ace!

The operating system must have
provision for at least four functions: we
must be able to save files, load them
back, remove ("kill") them, and find out
what files are on a particular disk. DOSes

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usually have many other facilities. Some
of the most important are: copy one file
from a disk to another; make a backup of
a whole disk; change the name of a file;
prepare a disk ready for use ("format"
it); display the contents of a file on
screen (useful when you've forgotten
what a file is!) append files to each other.
Most TRS80 DOSes will do a lot more as
well - mostly related to the varying
configurations the TRS80 may have.

Importance of
file names

File names are very important. A file
name in TRS80 is very similar to a CP/M
file name, other than punctuation. First,
we need to remember that if a system
has just one disk drive, it is called drive 0,
the second is called drive 1, and so on.
Rarely will the drive number be needed
other than in copying files or disks -
TRSDOS and all its successors were
among the earliest operating systems to
search all drives for a file if the drive
wasn't specified. Working with systems
which do not have this simple ability
makes me appreciate it more!

A file name itself is in three parts. The
first part is the most important - the
actual name itself. This is one to eight
characters long, letters and digits only,
and the first character must be a letter.
Typical example: GAME2. To this is
added the extension, which is a three-
letter group, usually designating the type
of file. Thus if GAME2 is in BASIC, I will
always call it GAME2/BAS. If the game
was in machine code, it would be
GAME2/CMD. It is permissible to have
no extension at all: some people (often
including Tandy) use no extension to
indicate the file is a BASIC program. I
have religiously avoided this - there are
many utilities which look for "/BAS" to
determine which are the BASIC
programs on a disk. Instead, I use the
convention that no extension means a
file which is very temporary - remove it
when the session is over.

Other commonly used extensions are
/SRC, /MAC or /ASM for assembler
source code; /CIM for memory dumps
(exact binary copies of blocks of RAM);
/JCL for files of commands (more on this
later), /SYS for system files; /LIB for files
of library subroutines, and many
programs use their own extensions for
data files of different types.

Having used systems without
extensions, and suffered through the
unwise use of them, I can recommend a
systematic approach. There are 33,696
possible extensions, so the choice is
wide. I have accumulated a very large
number of text files over the last few
years, and in a final desperate attempt to
organise myself, have taken to using
/REV for reviews, /TRS for this column,

/BEG for beginners columns, /LTR for
letters, and so on.

A couple of
extensions

Two extensions mean specific things
to DOS. As mentioned already, /SYS is
used to refer to files which are part of
DOS, or used only by DOS, such as
DIR/SYS. There are a few exceptions -
PENCIL02/SYS and so on - but by and
large, leave SYS files alone. Every disk
will have at least two - BOOT/SYS and
DIR/SYS. The other important extension
is /CMD, an abbreviation of
"command". These files are programs
which may be executed from DOS just
by giving their name. My com-
munications program is called PP/CMD,
and typing just "PP" gets it loaded and
running.

The other part of a file name is a
password. If I wanted to protect the
game with the password "GORDON"
and it is stored on drive 1 , the whole file
name becomes "GAME2BAS.-

GORDON:1". Passwords might be
useful in some situations - businesses
perhaps - but I haven't encountered
many! For the time being, we'll ignore
them.

As well as the files themselves having
names, the disk has a name and date.
These are given when it is formatted, but
some DOSes allow them to be changed.
The name and date can be very useful for
keeping track of your disks, especially if
your DOS allows you to include a
comment in place of the date. This text
will end up on a disk whose name is
"TEXT9" - indicating that it contains
text files, and the ninth one started for
that purpose. The "date" of the disk is
"B&B", indicating that these text files
are for Bits & Bytes. Other text disks
have other "dates" indicating the
purposes of the files. Inevitably, one of
them is "TEXT3", with date "MISC"!

Incidentally, although disks aren't
cheap, it is much more convenient to
group files together in disks with a
common purpose, rather than cram
everything in together. Games may well
have their own disks, as will other
programs with similar purposes.

A distinction must be made between
"system" and "data" disks. Simply,
"system" disks have at least some of
DOS on them, enough to boot up
anyway. A data disk won't boot,
because it doesn't have DOS on it. Not
all of DOS is in RAM at once (it's too big)
and generally, it is essential to have a
system disk in drive at all times, so that
if another part of DOS is required, it is
available for loading. Data disks can,
with a few exceptions, be used only in
drive 1 and higher.

The next thing to look at is the
"mother" of the DOSes, TRSDOS.

66 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

ATARI

. : .v.v.%v.:."vx.v.>:-:-:.:*:.k.v-^^

A gun war game

By Michael Fletcher

A couple of weeks back browsing
through my local computer store, I was
surprised to stumble on quite a few titles
from the famed British software
company, US GOLD. This could mean
hundreds of new software titles at the
relatively low prices of $45-$60. US
GOLD is not a software company but
imports some of the best American
software.

These titles include F15 Strike, Eagle,
Spitfire Ace, Mig Alley Ace, Solo Flight,
NATO Commander, Flak, Snokie, Dallas,
Beach Head, Bruce Lee and many more.
Most are in New Zealand at the moment
and I am told more are soon to come.

NATO Commander is an impressive
new war/strategy game comprising a
very exciting and new outlook on the
modern strategic battle game.

The date is in the future and for the
past week, rather disturbing news has
been emitting from behind the East
German border.

APRIL 21, UPI... BRUSSELS: The
new commander in charge of NATO
forces (you) was sworn in today at
Brussels.

APRIL 22-23, AP. . . WITTENBERGE:
The newly formed East German labour
movement claimed that many of its
members are striking in the town of
Wittenberge. Reports from West German
sources indicate that masses of refugees
are crossing the border in that vicinity.
On the same day, East Germany accused
the West German government of
supplying food and weapons to the
striking workers at Wittenberge.

REUTERS". . . FRANKFURT: NATO
forces were put on alert level 3 and all
NATO leaves have been cancelled.
Tension along the East German border
increased today as the West German
government boldly admitted to helping
the striking workers at Wittenberge.

REUTERS... MOSCOW: The USSR
threatened to break the striking workers
by force if necessary. It also warned
West Germany to stay out of the affairs
of a Warsaw Pact country.

cc\a?mav *

* &

>tf

5R

The cover of the NATO Commander
game and a scene from the war map.

AP. . . WITTENBERGE: East Germany
today announced talks with West
Germany aimed at the reunification of
the two Germanies, West Germany
however refused to confirm or deny the
existence of these talks.

APRIL 30, REUTERS. . . BERLIN: All
access to Berlin was closed today by
East German authorities. American and
British outposts report contact with
Russian mechanised units. The Soviet
government refused to acknowledge
fighting on the East German border but
noted that "appropriate measures" had
been taken.

The date is now April 30 and you, as
commander-in-chief of all NATO forces
in Europe, have been handed a briefing of
the position and number of Warsaw Pact
forces poised on the borders of NATO
countries. It is your job now to use your

initiative to issue orders and repel the
Russian hordes sweeping across the
West German borders.

The game, NATO Commander, is
based on a war with Russia and other
Warsaw Pact countries. You are the
commander of the French, British,
American, Belgian and German units in
Europe; it is your job to issue orders and
repulse the invaders. To help you, you
have many diversified units and orders
which will be explained later.

Choice of
5 battles

NATO Commander starts off by giving
you a short text rundown of what has
happened in the past week and then
offers you a choice of five battles you
can fight.

• Surprise Attack: Warsaw Pact
launches a surprise attack against
unsuspecting NATO forces. In this
scenario, only the northern half of the
war map is shown.

• Hanover Hamburg: This again shows
only the northern half of the war map.
The objective of the game is for the
Russians to capture Hamburg and
Hanover.

• Pre-emptive strike: This is my
personal favourite. The NATO player
takes the initiative and attacks East
Germany. This time, the whole map is
used.

• The Italian option: Warsaw Pact
forces attack along the West German
front but offer peace to the Italians. In
this mode, the object is to save politically
important targets such as cities so that
the Italians will join the war on your side.

• The battle of Germany: This scenario
uses the whole of the war map and
covers a pre-emptive strike from East
Germany.

After the scenario choice, NATO
Commander offers you four difficulty
levels. You are then presented with a
local news report of what has happened.

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BITS & BYTES - March 1985 67

ATARI

For example, if you chose the pre-
emptive strike option, a news report
would show that NATO forces have
pushed over the Russian borders and
wiped out the Russian aircraft on the
ground. Because of this action, world
opinion is greatly against you so political
targets such as cities have double points.

After pressing RETURN, a scrolling
map of Europe appears on the screen.
This map is where all the fighting in
NATO Commander takes place. In the
centre of the screen is a rectangular
cursor, which you, as NATO
commander, use to control your forces.
Also on the screen are about 30
rectangles which are your forces, (blue,
black and green) and about 15 red
rectangles which are the Russians. There
are also some smaller rectangles which
represent brigades instead of the normal
divisions.

You can use nine different units to
repel the invading Russian units. At your
disposal are (each shown by a picture):
mechanised infantry (the powerhouse of
an army, best used for defence); armour
(fast moving and best used for
attacking); armoured cavalry (used
mainly for reconnaisance); airborne
(used mainly to attack lightly defended
rear installations); militia (best suited for
a prepared defence); helicopters (used to
help eliminate Russian ground forces); air
wings (mainly needed for attacking
Soviet aircraft and helping ground
offensives); surface to air missiles
(needed to destroy overflying Warsaw
Pact aircraft); tactical nuclear missiles
(can be used to wipe out entire Soviet
units).

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The units at your disposal . . . /clockwise from top left), helicopters; air wing;
surface-to-air missiles; tactical nuclear missiles; armoured cavalry; armour; airborne;
mechanised infantry; militia.

Fast and
furious

When NATO Commander actually
starts, the action is fast and furious -
especially when at the start of every
game there are always three NATO units
behind enemy lines surrounded by four
Soviet shock divisions. After realising
the position, one of the units radios you
for instructions giving you your first
chance to use the many commands
offered to you. The best thing to do in,
this case is to first press (F) to freeze the
game. Then order one unit to attack by
using the command (A) and use the
commanded (H) to tell where to attack.
You will then be offered three choices of
attack - accelerated, normal and
chemical. After you choose which form
of attack you want, the computer will
answer by saying: "brigade ordered to
attack - roger". On doing this, use the
command (M) to move your unit away
from the Russian attackers, and again
use the commands (A) and (H) on your
helicopter units to attack the remaining
Russian force.

The other commands used are:

(0) - placed on any unit other than an
air wing or a tactical nuclear unit; will
offer you three options for a defence
(hasty, prepared and tactical).

(G) and (Q) - will show you the status
of your ground and air forces.

(X) - will allow you to cancel an order,
and then issue new ones.

Pressing the space bar will show the
status of the unit — how many men and.
tanks are attached, and morale.

All the movement on the scrolling war
map is controlled by either the joystick or
cursor control keys. The command used
for controlling the air arm is (0). If this
key is depressed while the cursor is on an
air wing rectangle, you will be offered a
three option menu of what you can do
with those planes — air reconnaisance,
air superiority, ground support.

To fire a nuclear weapon at the Soviet
troops, you have to first position your
cursor over one of your missile silos and
then press (O). You will be given another

three option choices — request a nuclear
strike; target nuclear strike; cancel
nuclear strike.

To fire a nuclear weapon, you have to
get permission from the US president.
This authorisation is not easy to get and
is given only if you are being desperately
beaten or the Soviets have fired atomic
weapons at you. If you are allowed to
fire nuclear weapons, press 2 and then
position your cursor on your selected
target. In a couple of minutes, that unit
will be blown off the face of the earth.
However, because you have used
nuclear weapons, you will lose political
points from your total.

At the end of each day of fighting, the
war map will disappear and you will be
shown a news report on the day's
fighting. The report will contain all the
losses for the day and how far the Soviet
forces have advanced. Tactically, it is a
good idea to take notice of this report
and use it to its utmost.

Other good tactics are to use the
helicopter squadrons as much as
possible to wipe out ground forces, and
always try to attack with tank
squadrons.

Positions your defensive units to take
advantage of terrain. River lines and
mountains are the best. Always try to
have two units defending rather than
one.

At the start of the game, always use
you air arm for air superiority missions.
Change to ground support missions only
when the news says there is very little or
no Warsaw Pact air opposition. And
don't be afraid to use the freeze feature
while you enter orders. NATO
Commander ends when one side offers
peace terms.

This must be one of the best war
strategy games I have played on the
Atari. Out of 10, I would rate it an eight.
It is 48K on a disk and costs $59.95 from
most Atari agents.

Accounting packages

MEC Dealer Products has released
the Panasonic Portable and the
Cashlink integrated accounting
package.

68 BITS.& BYTES - March 1985

BOOKS

-v/.w.%%vv.w.>V^V«.V-v.v.'//.y.w.vvAV^

A bit different

Microsoft BASIC and its Files by
Jacques Boisgontier (translated by
Suzanne Ropiequet). dilithium
Press, 1983. 200pp. $19.95.
Reviewed by Gordon Findlay.

A little different from most books on
BASIC this. It begins by assuming the
reader is already familiar with at least the
elements of programming, and sets out
to cover programming involving files.

The first part of the book (some 32
pages) introduces the statements used in
MBASIC to manipulate files of data. Both
random access and sequential files are
covered. The book has a number of
examples which show how to use files to
store data. Program segments show how
to open files, place data in them, retrieve
data from a file, and also how to alter the
records in a file.

The second part, of around 60 pages,
gives a deeper treatment of some of the
important techniques — sorting a file,
the use of index files, dynamic file
allocation. An interesting chapter gives
practical suggestions for handling data
through a "data file management
system", or a system of records and
pointers which relate different files.
Various important practical issues are
raised, such as the need to protect files,

and to archive data. There are also some
helpful points about screen input.

The remainder of the book is a
summary and reference guide to
Microsoft BASIC, specifically MBASIC
version 5.0. This is all good stuff, and
it's nice to have it all together; but even
relatively inexperienced programmers
will find it redundant.

As well as the standard MBASIC, as
used most commonly under CP/M,
translations and modifications are given
for TRS80 BASIC.

The book is cleanly presented, with a
nice typeface, and good diagrams. One
or two program listings are a bit blurred
— they are reproduced directly from
listings.

Not a great book, but it meets its
goals, and goes give a good introduction
to one of the more difficult topics in
programming.

Keeping up with
your hardware

The Handbook of Micro-
computer Interfacing by Steve
Liebson. Tab. 262pp. $34.50.

Reviewed by Ted Brown.

For those who work at, or desire to
work at the hardware level of their
computers, this large book has very
much to offer. It has nine chapters,
starting with Boolean algebra, flip-
flops, number systems and a general
introduction.

After describing many of the
popular CPU chips in detail, we go on
to various busses such as S100,
STD, and 488. Parallel interfacing
comes next, with some popular and
up-to-date PI'Os and PIAs described
in very great detail.

Leaving these behind, we come to
serial interfacing which is treated
just as thoroughly as the parallel
section. RS232 and some more
recent serial standards are very well
covered. This is the place to learn
about UARTs, USARTs and serial
input/output chips from many
manufacturers.

Analogue to digital and vice-versa
are treated at length but there is no
rundown on individual chips
because, as the author says, there

Pitman

Handy pocket-sized
guides, specially designed
for quick, easy access and
to stand upright for use
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POCKETGUIDE TO

STATISTICAL PROGRAMMING
ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE FOR THE 8085
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Further information:

PITMAN PUBLISHING NEW ZEALAND

PO Box 38.688

PETONE

BITS & BYTES - March 1985 - 69

UNIYME

Specialists in

COMPUTER
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Over 1000 titles
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Write for details to James Electronics,
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BOOKS

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are just too many of them.

Timing chips such as the Z80CTC,
Intel 8253 and several others have
their inner workings fully exposed. A
chapter is given over to interrupts
while another takes us through
DMA or (direct memory access)
interfacing.

There are three appendices but
only one is really useful. This covers
all the chips available under the
above headings. It is a most
comprehensive list and is right up-to-
date.

This book does not take you as far
as the blurb on the back cover would
have you believe and it is not for
beginners, but it is still good value.

Reviewer
hooked

Computer Art and Animation:
A User's Guide to Radio Shack
Colour Logo by David D.
Thornburg, reviewed by John
Durham.

Despite being subconsciously anti-
logo, I was pleasantly surprised by
this book which suggests in its
introduction that it is possible for a
programmer to become an artist, or
for an artist with no computer
experience to become a

programmer.

Logo could be described as being
to graphics what Forth is to maths
and programming - except that Logo
is easier to learn.

This book teaches the

fundamentals of the Logo language
in a carefully paced and easy-going
sytle, with plenty of illustrations.
The book contains exercises to help
develop the reader's understanding
of the subject, and gives plenty of
hints to encourage personal
creativity.

One of the most fascinating, and
one of the best explained aspects of
Logo in this publication, is its ability
to learn new procedures, and then
use those procedures to define other
words, since every new definition
becomes part of the language as you
work.

There appears to be only one
drawback to this work,.and it is not
the fault of the book. Chunky
graphics are one characteristic for
which Radio Shack computers are
well known, and you might have
thought this feature makes them
singularly inappropriate for artistic
work.

Radio Shack on the other hand,
typically treats the machine as if the

limitation were not there, with the
result that the system is capable of
developing extremely sophisticated
graphic art, which not only produces
recognisable images on command,
but can make them move about as
well.

I admit to having developed an
interest in the language as a result of
reading this book, and I would
recommend it to anyone with an
interest in art, animation or Logo as a
language.

Everybody's talking about it. Find out
for yourself — write to Freepost 1 33,
Box 61 86, Dunedin, for details on our
latest software for the Apple II family.

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The Disc Drive Alternative

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70 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

The

New Zealand

Microcomputer Software

Awards

In recognition of excellence in New Zealand developed

and
written software for microcomputers

Bits & Bytes Ltd, publishers of New Zealand's largest
circulating computer magazine. Imagineering Ltd, one
of New Zealand's leading software companies and
the New Zealand Technology Advancement Trust, a
body established specifically to promote
technology, are pleased to announce the formation
of the above awards to be presented for the first time
in May this year.

The organisers feel it is time New Zealand software is
given the national and international recognition it
deserves. The establishment of the awards will provide
an opportunity for that recognition and in particular it
is hoped they will lead to increased export sales of
New Zealand software.

The awards are open to any company or
individual to enter and there is no limit on the
number of entries (a suite of programs may be
submitted as one entry or as separate entries). A
$10 nomination fee applies per entry. Programs
entered can be an already established com-
mercial product or as yet commercially
unavailable.

In 1985 the awards will be presented in two
categories only:

1. BUSin©SS-This category covers any
software program aimed at
general commercial use. For
example general accounting,
wordprocessing graphics and
farming programs. Vertical
market packages i.e. those
aimed at one particular industry
(other than the farming industry)
are excluded.

2. Education and Recreation - This

category covers any program
for use in an educational role, or
a game, simulation program or
any other program intended for
enjoyment etc.

The following conditions apply:

1. The software must be wholly developed and
written in New Zealand.

2. It must run on at least one microcomputer model.

THE AWARDS

Judging will be carried out by independent and
accomplished computer experts in the category
areas according to specific criteria.

Category winners will receive an award trophy and
merit awards will also be made where appropriate.

The overall winner will receive the 1985 New Zealand
Microcomputer Software Award plus $2000.

The awards will be presented at the New Zealand
Microcomputer Industry Dinner to be held at Trillos in
Auckland on Thursday, May 9 in conjunction with the
PC 85 exhibition.

Entry form

Please complete and post this coupon to;
N.Z.M.S.A., Box 9870, Auckland.

Yes! I Wish to enter (entries close March
20, 1985).

Name

Company

Address

Telephone

On a separate sheet of paper please list;

Programs you wish to enter, award category, brief
description of each program, computer(s) or operating
system(s) they run on and whether available on disk,
cartridge or cassette.

Send no money or programs now. You
will be contacted at a later date.

3. It must be available on disk, cartridge or cassette
(Process control software is not eligible for the
awards).

4. Entries will be judged on commercial appeal as
well as technical excellence.

The BITS 6 BYTES Computer

Book Club

Sinclair's QL is coming!

So be a good scout and BE PREPARED with

The Sinclair QL Series

Recommended by QL-User magazine
MARCH-ONLY OFFER

• Buy any ONE for $24.40 and SAVE $2.50

• Buy any TWO for $47.50 and SAVE $6.40

• Buy any THREE for $68.25 and SAVE $12.60

• Buy any FOUR for $85.60 and SAVE $22.60

• Buy all FIVE for $99.50 and SAVE $35.25

And the books:

Introducing the Sinclair QL Garry Marshall

Explains how the QL works and what you can do with it Aimed
at the first-time OL user, the newcomer to computing and
experienced user who wants the machine up and running as
quickly as possible No one computing knowledge necessary

Introduction to SuperBASIC on the Sinclair QL

Dick Meadows

Explains SuperBASIC to both tho programming newcomer and
the programmer unfamiliar with it. Covers features, ideas and
methods for programming, begins to write programs, inputting
and outputtlng information, making decisions, repetition,
special functions, processing strings, using arrays and
procedures, and user-defined functions

Word Processing With the Sinclair QL

Mike O'Reilly

As well as the concepts behind the uses of word processing, it
explains how the QL's word processing package. Quill.

operates and what It can do. Aimed at the newcomer to word
processing and the experienced user wanting to fully
understand Quilt's capabilities

Advanced Programming With the Sinclair QL

Martin Gandoff

Aimed at users with a working knowledge of SuperBASIC who
want to move to more advanced programming. Covers such
topics as programming logic representation, types of
commercial program, programming techniques, development,
testing and live running applications and document design.
Also includes a statement and reference section

Desktop Computing With the Sinclair QL for
professions and businesses Barry Miles

Shows what can be achieved in business computing.
explaining how the user can exploit Sinclair's four software
packages — Quill word processing. Abacus financial
calculations. Archive database management; Easel business
graphics Assumes no prior computing knowledge.

72 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

TH€ BITS & BVT€S BOOK CLUB

Business

Keyboarding

Databases for Fun and Profit Nigel Freestone

For users wanting 10 do their own programming. Provides
straightforward introduction to data processing, with
explanations ol routines in BASIC. Examples o( system
designs lor home and business use. which you can combine
and expend. Systems for names and addresses;
catalogue/indox; diary; stock control; bank

account/budgeting; debtors list/sale/purchase ledger; payroll.
Granada Our price $18.95. Save $1

Database: A Primer C. J. Date

Dissects data and file management, focussing on how you
can effectively use modern database systems and how to got
the best from them. Thorough overview of databases,
practical examples and exercises, discussion of widely used
databases, the "how tos" of report writing, indexing and
cataloguing; database design for protecting data.
Addison- Wesley Our price S26.00. Save S1.35

Choosing Your First Computer System: A Guide for
the Growing Business

K. Ian Mitchell & Bevan J. Clarke
Written to help the manager with no computer experience to
docide whether the business needs a computer and if so.
which one; what sort of computer services will be best; and
how to manage selection and installation. Straightforward
stylo helps remove the complexity from these probloms.
Pitman Our price $6.60. Save 35 cents

Understanding dBase II Alan Simpson

Clear, concise text and eye-catching graphics help you
master the basics, then guide you through programming
techniques for useful applications such as mailing label
systems, graphics, bookkeeping, printing and formatting
reports. You also learn to interface dBASE II with other
software systems to expand its capabilities.
Sybex Our price $48.90. Save $2.60

Simply dBASE II Barbara S. Chirlian

Straightforward guide to get you going with this database
management program. Teaches you enough so that you can
use the parts you need, and explains how dBASE II handles
information, what the program does with the information to
make it useful, and how to retrieve information. Lots of
illustrations and four oppendices, listing - dBASE II
commands, functions, configuration parameters and
glossary.

diiithium Our price $21.80. Save $1.15

Advanced dBASE II User's Guide Adam B. Green

Collection of tips, techniques and practical programs tested
and refined over two years of seminars around the USA.
Practical advice on software tools; controlling program flow;
macros; strings numbers; dates; relational data model, other
data models, repairing damaged data files; debugging; writing
an add-on; hacking; benchmarks.
Prentice-Hall Our price $57.85. Save $3.05

Business Program Portfolio for your Apple He; An
Integrated Office System George H. Hildebrand

Collection of 61 BASIC programs covering such office tasks
as interest calculation, financial analysis, depreciation,
property management and real estate, cash receipts and
disbursements, job cost, payroll. All programs documented
for implementation and modification. There is also guide to
printing out business forms, creating a menu system, and
securing business records with password programs.

Hayden Our price $37.00. Save $1 .95

On-Line Computing for Small Businesses
- Silver's Wall

Maurice A. Silver, John Jeacocke & Ray Welland
Sots out to provide managers of small businesses with a
clear, conciso but non-technical instruction in the use of on-
line computing based on the practical experience of the
authors. No prior knowledge of computing assumed and only
essential technical definitions are included.
Pitman Our price $9.95. Save 55 cents

Computer Basic for Managers Ralph Morris

Demonstrates how to take charge of a computer right |rom
the start. Provides practical guidance for managers on
starting and developing a profitable computer operation —
and will give a better understanding of the system. Discusses
financial implications of computers, costs of hardware;
software and personnel, and the benefits. Discusses the why.
what and how of both mini and microcomputers in simple
language.
Hutchinson Our price $58.20. Save $3.05

Spectravideo

Spectravideo Computing

Ian Sinclair
Suitable for all models, this book offers a comprehensive
guide to setting up and getting started, then progressing in
easy stagos through many examples to explore the world of
the Spectravideo.
Granada Our price $23.70. Sav $1.25

Games For Your Spectravideo

Damon Pillinger & Danny Olesh
More than 25 programs including Minefield. Road Race. Star
Strike. Towors of Doom and High Fighter. Plus a series of
graphic demonstrations and a chapter on making effective
use of the Spectravidoo's sound.
Virgin Our price $13.25. Save 70 cents

Quick Keyboarding Vonnie Alexander

Sub-titled "Competent Keyboarding in 6 Hours", this book
by New Zealand Vonnie Alexander has a unique method for
teach-yourself competent keyboarding. A wall chart of finger
positions is included.
Methuen Our price $6.50. Save 45c.

Keyboarding for Information Processing

Robert Hanson

Enables a person to develop basic touch keyboarding skill in
a minimum time. The person who complotes the book will be
able to key in alphabetic, numeric and symbol information;
input numbers on a seperate 10-key pad; keyboard
information quickly and accurately; understand some of the
basic vocabulary used in keyboarding. Can be used for
classroom or individual, self-instruction.
Osbome/McGrawHiii Our price $8.95. Save 57c

Bonus points
to end

Because the system has become
rather unwieldly, we have decided to
dispense with bonus points on our
books. Instead, we intend to offer a
bigger cash discount.

Readers who have accumulated bonus
points will however be able to cash them
in on books bought during February and
March.

As well as bigger cash discounts, we
will continue to offer "specials" each
month and continue to provide a wide
range of books.

Otherwise, nothing will change. All
you have to do to join the club is buy a
book. Just pick out the books you want,
fill in the coupon in the middle of the
magazine, and post it in FREEPOST.

Please allow two or three weeks for
orders to be processed and the book
distributors to get the books to you. We
do not stock the books ourselves.

Language/programming

Microsoft BASIC and its Files

Jacques Boisgontier & Suzanne Ropiequet

Handbook on programming techniques and a guide to data file
programming. Reviews fundamentals of Microsoft BASIC
programming language and provides more than 24 working
programs as building blocks as you learn to design your own
programs. Introduces data file programming principles and
concepts, and discusses and comparos random access and
sequential files. Instruction on use of index files to access and
sort file records. Lots of examples, programs and figures,
diiithium Press Our price $18.95. Save $1.00

The MS-DOS Handbook Richard Allen King

An in-depth look at MS-DOS's internal functions, showing
how to get the most out of the operating system, how to
eliminate repetitive operations and how to streamline
common procedures. Covers file structures and disk layout;
changing the moaning of keys; using serial and parallel ports,
looking inside the system with DEBUG, information for
programmers using advanced MS-DOS functions. Covers
various MS-DOS versions, and has tables, maps and many
practical examples.
Sybex Our price S47.45. Save S2.50

Doing business With Multiplan

Richard Allen King & Stanley R. Trost

Quick, well set out guide presenting moro than 20 accounting
and manegement planning applications for the business user.
Each is Ihoroughly described, and a complelo template for
selling up the application in Muliiplan presented. Many usable
"as is"; others can be modified for specific problems Covers
record keeping, financial statemont analysis, sales finance
manufacturing, masler budgeting.

Sybex Our normal price $47.95

The ABCsof 1-2-3

Chris Gilbert & Laurie Williams
Hands-on approach using a detailed, slep-by-step instructions
Lessons involve tackling protects such as building a worksheet,
displaying the worksheet as a graph, building a database,
implying several operations using macros, performing
calculations and printing graphs and reports Remains a handy
reference once you are familiar with 1 -2-3
Sybex Our normal price $38.95

Structured Programs in BASIC Peter Bishop

Opens with a discussion of program structure and design.
The rest of the book comprises oxamplo programs, with the
complete program design process (from initial specification to
final listing) carried out. Excellent source of programming
techniques, algorhythms, program modules, ready-to-run
programs and ideas.
Nelson Our price $26.35. Save $1.40

Mastering Symphony

Douglas Cobb

Business-oriented, hands-on approach by Ihe author ol iwo
books on 1-2-3 Many examples and illusirations, and an
attractive layout. Covers spreadsheets, database management
word processing, graphics, communications, command
language, and offers lips on integraiing ihe various functions
Packed with actual exomplos and practical applications
Svbex Normal price $74.95

Apple

Getting Started With ProDOS

B.M
Aimed at Apple II and lie users, this is
familiar with the existing Apple
Comprehensive guide to ProDOS. with
Reference section goes over commands
use. and there is a discussion of
disadvantages of the system. A list o
included.
Bluewater Press Our price $6.

. Peake & D. Rorke

intended lor someone
DOS 3.3 systems

exercises for practice.

and comments on iheir
the advantages and

f further references is

65. Save 30 cents

Games for Your Apple He

Tony Dyson & Bjorn Englehardt

More than 20 programs including Phaser. Howrat, Snake,
Simon Says. Cannon and Jackpot. Plus a chapter on how to
write better programs and a glossary.
Virgin Our price $13.25. Save 70 cents

Applesoft Basic: A Teach-Yourself Introduction

B. M. Peake
Second edition revised to cover the Apple II Plus and lie. A
manual for New Zealanders to learn BASIC with the Apple,
instead of picking information from two or three sources.
Includes model answers. Enquiries tor class sets welcome.
Mclndoe Our price $13.25. Save 70 cents

Apple Logo: Activities for Exploring Turtle
Graphics

Harold J. Bailey, Kathleen M. Brautigam
& Trudy H. Doran

Hands-on activities guide taking you through the basic turtle
commands and concepts, then expanding into more
sophisticated graphics design. Five sequences show how to
control turtle movement through simple Logo commands,
how to combino those commands for form procedures, how
to use colour, how to use co-ordinates for graphics design,
and how to combine it all for complex screen displays.

Brady Our price $29.85. Save $1.55

Learning BASIC for the Macintosh

David A. Lien
Comprehensive, attractively-presented guide organised into
five major sections - discussion and exercises on the Mac's
capabilities; answers to tho exercises; some users' programs;
appendices providing reference tables and charts; an index.
Easy-to-follow language and all computer terms explained as
you go.
Compusoft Our price $54.75. Save $2.75

Spectrum

Tim Hartnell's Giant Book of Spectrum Games
More than SO programs covering just about every sort of
game imaginable - arcade action, mind menders, chance and
skill, adventure, space, board and card, fun. simulations. And
there are utility and demonstration programs, games to
convert notes on error trapping and a glossary.
Collins Our price $14.20. Save 75 cents

An Expert Guide to the Spectrum Mike James

Practical introduction to the Spectrum's advanced hardware
and software features. Aimed at the user seeking a deeper
understanding of the machine and its capabilities. Starts with
an inside view of the micro, then moves to a connoisseur's
guide to ZX BASIC and an introduction to the machine
operating system. Covers ZX vidoo. tape system, RS232
interface, microdnve and advanced programming techniques.
Complete program listings and projects for further
exploration.
Granada Our price $23.70. Save $1 .25

Practical Spectrum Machine Code Programming

Steve Webb

Designed for programmers who want to write faster and

better programs than they can in BASIC. Assumes you have

no knowledge of machine code and works through the details

to the point where you are linking routines and using routines

with BASIC programs. Questions throughout to test

progress.

Virgin Our Price $18.55. Save 95 cents

Adventures for Your ZX Spectrum

Clive Gifford

Six ready-to-run adventure games - Crash!. Pearl Diver. The
Ring of Power. The Soven Keys of Tarkus. School's Out and
Everyday Adventure - plus advice on writing your own
adventures and a glossary and bibliography.
Virgin Our price $14.20. Save 75 cents

BITS & BYTES - March 1985 - 73

THE BITS & ByTES BOOK CLUB

Commodore 64

Basic Subroutines for Commodore Computers

Eddie Adams
Easy-to-use monual which offers access to moro than 300
BASIC subroutines - powerful building blocks you can
combine and adapt to create programs for a wide range of
business, educational and porsonal opplications. Explanations
for each subroutine with suggestions for modifying it to your
needs. Each program is ready to run on any Commodore
system.
Wiley & Sons Our price $30.35. Save $1.60

Commodore 64: Basic Programs in Minutes

Stanley R- Trust
Collection of versatile, roady-to-onier programs for more than 65
home and business tasks on the Commodore 64 Programs for
home finances, busmoss calculations, real estate, data analysts,
record keeping and education No knowledge of BASIC
programming needed to use programs which can bo entered and
ready to run in less than 1 minutes
Sybex Our price $27.50. Save $1.45

How to Program the Commodore 64 - if you've
never programmed a computer before Robert Young
Aftor an introduction to the bits and piocos of the 64. you
move to the process of learning to program on the keyboard.
Concentrates on the key words and techniques to have you
writing programs as quickly as possible, then allow you to
refine the process at your leisure.
Interface Our price $21 .80. Save $1.15

How to Use The Commodore 64 Jerry &

Deborah Willis

Introduction to the compute' and its basic con (plains

what Ihe cornpononts do and how thov work together, step-by-
step instructions on setting up and Installation; shows how to
load and save programs on diskette o< cassettes; tells how to
type m. use and modify programs, presents other sources o!
information,

Our price $8.55. Save 40 cents

Commodore 64 Machine Language Tutorial

Paul Blair

Gets to grips with the intricacies of machine language
programming, helping you overcome the demanding, exacting
and somotimcs exasperating requirements. But master it and
tasks such as sorting, searching and some graphics become
much quicker Judicious use of machine language also allows
you to use largor and more complex programs Demonstration
program provided, with examples of short machine language
routines
Holt-Saundeis

Our price Book & disk $54.60. Save $2.90
Book & cassette $52.20. Save $2.75

Data Handling on the Commodore 64 Made Easy

James Gatenby

Data processing - sorting raw facts to produce useful
information — can be just as rowarding as playing games.
Explains how to use tho Commodore 64 to process
information for the home and small business. Uses
straightforward examples to demonstrate storage of large
quantities of data, attractive and readable on-screen display,
and searching and print-outs.
Granada Our price $20.85. Save $1.10

Advanced Machine Code Programming for the
Commodore 64

A. P. & D.J. Stephenson

Details the 6502/6510 microprocessor with particular
attention to tho multiple-byte handling and high-rosolution
graphics. Number of fast sorting routines are described and
methods outlined (or using machine code to improve the
speed and smoothness of animation and sound. Many
examples as illustrations and for practical use.
Granada Our price $31.30. Save $1.65

Commodore 64 Assembly Language

Bruce Smith
Comprehensive introduction to assembly language with
plenty of sample programs and a full description of the 64
instructions tho 64 understands. All programs designed using
DATA statements so that you can key thorn in and go.
Mnemonics included for those with an Assembler. Gets into
hex and binary: registers and flags; jumps, shift and rotates;
the Kernal; and machine code sprites.
Shiva Our price $26.55. Save $1.40

Illustrated Guide to the Commodore 64

Ken Uston

No-nonsense instructions designed to allow you to master
one application without reading tho whole book. Covers all
major applications - including word processing and
spreadsheet calculations.
Prentice-Holl Our price $28.30. Save $1.50

More Games For Your Commodore 64

Robert Young
More than 20 programs including Luna Base. Trail of the
Serpentine Tail Gunner, Reversi. Battlo Fear. St Moritz. Acos
High and Final Trial. Plus program writing hints and a
glossary.
Virgin Our price $13.25. Save 70 cents

Commodore 64 Disk Systems and Printers

Ian Sinclair
Discusses advantages, principles and details of disk systems.
Looks at machine code loading and saving, filing and disk
utilities. Printers discussed, thoir practical operation

examined and word processing and graphics applications
covored.

Granada Our price $20.85. Save $1.10

The Complete Commodore 64 Dennis Jarrett

Comprehensive, well-presented guide to tho- 64. Alter an
introductory chapter, it goos into programming, hardware.
business uses, and a resource directory. Combines features
of a reference guide and tipsheei.

Hutchinson Our price $29.00. Save $1.50

Graphics Guide to the Commodore 64

Charles Piatt
Works through the 64's graphics features, showing how to
control screen colour, load and save programs on disk or tape,
create headlines and detailed pictures, animate a video picture.
make programs run faster, and invent your own video games
Sybox Our price $33.20. Save $1.75

Adventures for Your Commodore 64

Duncan Quirie
Six ready-to-run adventure games - Poarl Diver. The
Guardians of Arimathoo. Hunt the Wumpus. Everyday
Adventure, Schools Out and Computer Advomuro - plus
advico on writing your own adventures, and a glossary and
bibliography.

Virgin Our price $14.25. Save 75 cents

Your Second Commodore 64 Program

Gary Lippman
Colourful and friendly guide to usmg BASIC as a design tool,
learning information storage and retrieval techniques,
manipulating non-numerical information, and understanding the
structure of data base management systems.
Sybox Our price $29.95. Save $1.55

Games

The Big Fat Book of Computer Games

Tim Hartnell
Contains 34 games written in tho most general form of
BASIC, making them suitable for most computers. Includes
board, adventure and space games, brain teasers,
simulations - and somo just for fun. Spread ovor 3B9 pages,
programs are clearly printed and accompanied by notes,
intorfaco Our price $28.45. Save $1.50

Tim Hartnell's Giant Book of Computer Games
More than 40 games compatible with Microsoft BASIC able
to run on most micros, including BBC. VIC 20. Oric, Apple II
and Mo. Commodore 64. Dragon 32, Tandy Color. IBM PC.
Laser, TRS-80, PET. MZ80K and Spectrum. Range covers
board, dice, space, brain and adventure games, simulations,
artificial intelligence, and somo just for fun.
Collins Our price $14.20. Save 75 cents

40 Educational Games Vince Apps

Editions lor the Commodore 64 and Ihe Electron Developed
with the help of educationalists and a professional programmer,
programs have been designed to help younger family memoers
handle the machine and increase their general knowledge
Subjects include languages, geography, maihemancs and
science Hints show how program contents can be changed to
suit the family as skills dovclop
Granada Our price $ 18.95. Save $ 1 .00

Virgin Computer Games Series

Edited by Tim Hartnell
Each book contains a selection of more than 20 gamos which
allow you to hone programming skills as well as have plenty of
fun Contains brief dictionary of computer terms, bibliography
and hints on how to improve and extend some of the programs

Commodore 64 edition $11.35 Save 60 cents

Spoctrum. ZX 81, TRS-80, VIC 20. Oric, Dragon,
Atari. BBC editions $8.45. Save 50 cents

Atari 600XL edition $ 1 5. 1 5. Save 80 cents

Using Your IBM Personal Computer Lon Poole

Aftor previous popular books on the Apple II, BASIC and the
Atari. Lon Poole has now turned to tho IBM PC. This
comprehensive book is in two parts - for thoso who want to
uso only packaged programs; and for thoso who have never
programmed a computer but want to loarn BASIC
programming. Also includos familiarity chapters with the
hardware, sections of graphics and sound, and summaries of
BASIC. PC DOS. error mossages and characters, codes and
keystrokes.
Sams Our price S33.80. Save S1.70

IBM PC Programming

Richard Heskell & Glenn A. Jackson

Hands-on, step-by-step approach for beginning and advanced
programmers. Uses actual photographs taken from the
computer screen in graphic examples to develop many
fundamental programming concepts. Includos information on
string variables and functions; IBM PC DOS; numerical
variables and arithmetic; expressions; sound effects; medium
resolution graphics; loops and subroutines; bar graphs;
animated graphics.
Prentice-Hall Our price $27.85. Save $1.45

The IBM PC-DOS Handbook Richard Allen King

A complete guido intended to give you confidence lo be creative
with your computer's capabilities. Reveals lenluies and
(unctions ins»de PC-DOS. what you can do with thorn, and how
they go together Second hall ol book shows how to become
adept at using PC-DOS's more advanced feature!
Sybex Our price $20.85. Save $1.10

The IBM PC Connection James W. Coffron

From ihi< author of the popular Apple Connection, VIC-20
Conneclion jnd *80 Applications, this book shows how easy it is
to use your computer with common household devices. Explains
techniques lor selling up your IBM to control a home security
system, home temperature control system, voice synthesnor to
make your computer talk, as well as othor home appliances
Sybox Our price $28.45. Save $1.50

Data File Programming on your IBM PC

Alan Simpson

Presonts the techniques for writing BASIC programs for mailing
list systems, grade books, library referencing system, graphic
displays. Covers adding files, searching, sorting, editing and
printing formatted reports.
Svbex Our price $33.20. Save $1.75

IBM BASIC: An Introduction to Programming in
BASIC on the IBM PC.

Donald T. Payne & William R. Beck

Each chapter opons with a problom-solving situation
encouraging you to think on your own and experiment for a
doopor understanding of the principlos involved. Simple
problems in oorly choptors teach you how to uso, understand
and modify programs. Gradually, tho omphasis changes to
croation of your own programs for business, home and
ontortainment.

Prontico-Haii Our price $36.20. Save $1.80

Useful BASIC Programs for the IBM PC

Stanley R. Trost

A selection of tested programs for more than 65 home and
business tasks. Home finances, business calculations, roa
. data analysis, record keeping and education are somo of
the fields covered No Knowledge of BASIC programming
needed to uso these programs
Sybex Our price $18.95. Save $1.00

IBM PC for Kids From 8 to 80

Michael P. Zabinski & Francis H. Short

Easily followed, fun book covering tho most important

programming concepts. You aro encouraged to try as many

examples as possible. Includes "instant replays" for second

explanations, oxporimonts. challenges, exercises (and

answers, just in caso). review checkpoints, recreation and

funtimo.

Sams Our price $31.80. Save $1.70

Computer Playground: IBM PC

H M.J. Winter

Based on a child's intorest in words, gamos and graphics, this
collotion of BASIC computer activities presents each as
"problem" in workbook format geared to the children's levol.
They type in and run sample programs, loarn how to modify
them and comploto partially written programs. Commands
aro introduced progressively.

Roston Our price $22.50. Save $1.20

BBC

Interfacing Projects lor the BBC Micro Bruce Smith
Describes how to plug into tho outside world and operate a
variety ot dovicos connected to and controlled by the BBC
Protects include: burglar alarm; ram detector: light pen; EPROM
programmer; X-Y plotter; |Oystick controller Construction
details provided, plus circuit diagrams, veroboard layouts and
component lists Tostod and debuggod programs to get proiocts

AddisTn-Wesloy Our price S27.50. Save $1.45

The Second Book ol Listings

Martin Bryant
Eighteen gamos (roflex/reaciion. tactical, puzzle, strategy,
demonstration) programs tor tho BBC Modol B. Plus a simple.
gonoralpurposo word processor in 6502 assembly codo and
tutorial tor beginners in writing advomuro games.

Our prices 14.50. Save 75 cents

Further Programming lor the BBC Micro

Alan Thomas

Uses moro than 90 programs to demonstrate the BBC's
special loatures. Listings accompaniod by notes on points of
intorost and hints on extending and Improving the programs.
Furthor roady-to-run programs also includod.
Shiva Our price S23. 70. Save $1.25

BBC Micro Assembly Language

Bruce Smith

Covors hoxadocimal and binary; tho rogistors; the mnomonic
assemblor; absoluto and indirect oddrossing: stacks and
(lags: MOS routines. Full unconsored description of CALL and
USR. showing how strings and variables can be passed into
machine codo programs. Appendicos include description ot
6502 chip's 56 instructions, machine code graphics and
sound, including PLOT. SOUND and ENVELOPE.

Shiva Our price $28.45. Save $1. 50

Practical Programs lor the BBC Micro

Owen & Audrey Bishop
Fourteen programs for homo and businoss accounts:
stocktaking; cash flow; space planning in house, gardon or
office; decision making: indexing; database Full instructions
and suggested applications provided, along with tips on
matching programs to your spociol noeds.
Granada Our price $23.70. Save $1 .25

Easy Programming tor the BBC Micro

Eric Deeson

Looks into comploxitios ot animation, strings, use ot
flowcharts, oditing, arrays, sound capabilities and includos a
caso history ot a bugged program. Forty roady-to-run
programs to givo further ideas os a yardstick.
Shiva Ourprice$21.80.Save$1.15

74 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

TH6 BITS & BVT€S BOOK CLUB

Our new
selection

The Sinclair User Book of Games & Programs
for the Spectrum

Sixty games and programs from the Specitum magazine,
Sinclair User, protect vour castle Irom invading soldiers m Siege,
test vour three-dimensional sense m Labyrinth, improve your
geography in Mapwork, face Mr Spec Trum on Wimbledon's
centre court; run your own cricket test at Lords; iump a dear
round in Oiympia; play noughts and crosses agamst tho
computer; sink a submarine in Depth Charge; tackle a crash
typing course in Touch Type.
Penguin Our price $12.90. Save $1.05

The Complete Guide to Multimate

Carol Holcomb Dreger

Comprehensive source of information for business users.
Covers features, functions and applications, and procedures
for editing, filing, copying and formatting in tutorial fashion.
Emphasis on practical applications and instructions geared to
the IBM PC and its compatibles.
Sybex Our price $44.35. Save $3.60

First Steps in Machine Code on Your C64

Ross Symons

Clear, concise explanation of machine code - introduction to
the disassembler and its use; instructions for the 6510 chip
with the aid of a demonstration program; discussion of the
kernal operating system and its applications such as printing,
input/output devices and scanning the keyboard. Two
complete machine code games show vou how to create your
own high speed, animated arcade-like games.
Corqi Our price $11.95. Save $1.00

Writing and Publishing on Your Microcomputer:
How to Create and Produce
Professional Quality Documentation

Russell A. Stultz
In-depth approach lo co-ordtnating word processing,
telecommunications and typesetting interfaces. Covers all
technical aspects - editing, manipulating data, printing, page
layout, indexing, typesetting, artwork and tables, evaluating
software, selecting a computer, accessing information,
editors and agents, business details of publishing.
Prentice-Hall Our price $32.90. Save $2.70

Assembler for the IBM PC and PC-XT

Peter Abel
Starting with simple programs, you move to more complex
routines and programs for screen processing, printing,
arithmetic, table processing, disk input/output, macro
writing. Coverage includes IBM PC architecture and linking
BASIC and Pascal to Assembler.
Reston Our price $38.35. Save $2.00

More Than 32 Basic Programs for the
Commodore 64 Computer

Tom Rugg, Phil Feldman & Western
Systems Group
A stack of programs - games, applications, education,
graphics, mathematics. Each chapter documents oach
program with a complete source listing of the program, its
purpose and how to use it.You also learn how to adapt
programs through simple modifications. All programs fully
tosted and ready to run.
dilithium Press Our price $47.00. Save $2.50

MS-DOS & PC-DOS on the IBM-PC Charles

Jackson

Full guide to understanding the operating system and its use.

allowing you to master the commands which take care of disk

"housekeeping" tasks and lot you move onto bigger and

better computing. Dissects the two DOSes what they are,

how they work, what they can do and how to use them.

includes section on special considerations for hard-disk users

and a summary of DOS commands.

Promico-Hail Our Price $32.90. Save $2.70

Symphony Encore Program Notes Dick Andersen

A computerside companion to provide help when you need it.
Offers new ideas and techniques to make working with
Symphony easier, more efficient and more productive. Offers
solutions to common problems and typical situations.
Practical information on tips and traps. Book is organised
according to functions such as spreadsheets, word
processing, graphics, communications and database
management. Entries are modular and there are numerous
illustrations and diagrams.
Sybex Our price $61 .00. Save $4.95

Arcade Games for Your VIC-20 Brett Hale

A 15-year-old whizz kid from Victoria, Australia has put
together a collection of 20 arcade games for the unexpanded
VIC-20. All programs listed twice - once for straightforward
keyboard play, and once for use with a joystick. All gamos
extensively play tested. Selection includes Galaxy Robbers,
Yackman, Sub Attack. Fantasy. Pinball, Indi 2000, Leaper
and Bullet Heads.
Corgi Our price $10.15. Save 80 cents

SOME SEGA
READING

Teach Yourself Basic Games Programming
Written (or use with the 16K or 32K SC-3000. this book
comes with a tutorial cassette. Starts with sprites and
graphics (working in binary, hexidecimal and decimals;
designing sprites and graphics, use of colour in programs).
Then moves to sound (beep and sound command, sound
effects and music, using the keyboard in games, use of
joysticks!. Then it's on to games programming as an art
(manipulating the screen, the video RAM map, use of VPOKE
and VPEEKI. Lastly, it gives a rundown on an actual game and
provides a glossary.
Grandstand Our price $36.95. Save $3.00

Sega Beginners Guide Phil Kenyon &

Mark Varcoe

Practical advice on all aspects of using the Sega, peripheral

attachments and software. Looks at the Saga's role, then

works through tho use of the machine giving tho user a firm

grounding.

Grandstand Our price $ 13.95. Save $1.10

How to Write Adventure Games for the BBC
Model B & Acorn Electron Peter Kilworth

Designed lo> those who have started programming in BBC
BASIC Teaches how to create and write lairly complicated
adventure games, though the text is structured so that simple
games can be whiten early on Throe games created, and a
multipurpose "shell" adventure program and database creation
program provided
Penguin Our price $15.70. Save $1.25

The Micro Manual Stewart Hasted

Aimed at users of computers which understand BASIC and
work on CP/M or MS-DOS. this easy-to-follow book is written
in simple, lay language to explain the workings and work of
computers. Ranges through all computer functions, outlining
how to go about them and explaining, step by step, what is
happening and what you see on screen. Intended as a
reference and readers are advised to ignore anything they
don't find helpful.
Sha Our price $27.70. Save $2.25

VIC-20 Machine Code Bruce Smith

A book with one aim - to teach you machine code
programming on your VIC-20. Comprehensive guide to
assembly languago. with sample programs, clearly defined
mnemonics and full descriptions of the 56 instructions the
VIC understands.
Shiva Our price $22.15. Save $1.80

The Commodore 64 Survival Manual

Winn L. Rosch

A complete guide to the 64 - from programming to problom
solving. Covers creating and connecting a system; getting
started; programming step by step; storage; printers;
modems; care and feeding; troubleshooting; software;
peripherals; user support.
Bantam Our price $18.45. Save $1.50.

The Think Tank Book Jonathan Kamin

After outlining ThinkTank and discussing the use of tho basir
commands, a series of step-by-step lessons and practica.
examples teaches you how to combine the commands and
master the more advanced features.
Sybex Our price $42.70. Save $2.25

Computer Power for Your Accounting Firm

James Morgan
Clear, straightforward guide to computerising an accounting
firm. The emphasisis on business and how to choose a
microcomputer to meet accounting needs. Discusses analysis
of information management needs, systems specifications,
evaluation of hardware and software, tax preparation and
modelling, audit aids, hardware options.
Sybex Our price $51.25. Save $2.70

Home Energy Applications on your Personal
Computer David E. Pitts

Examines various aspects of home energy consumption. Each
chapter opens with discussion of the methods and merits of
various kinds of energy analysis. A computer program
translated into versions for VIC-20, Atari. Apple, TT99/4A.
Radio Shack Color Computer. PET/CBM, and OSI. This
generates graphs, roports and analysis for your use.
Compute Our price $30.90. Save $1.60

Artificial Intelligence: ZX Spectrum Robin Jones
& Michael Fairhurst

Introduction to the techniques and theories of Al. scaled
down to beginner level. Gradual progression along a path
designed to make your Spectrum think.
Shiva Our price $22.15. Save $1.80

Using the Horizon Spreadsheet with the Unix
Operating System

Donald H. Bell

Shows you how to take full advantage of the 256 x 256 cell
electronic work surface and its many built-in functions —
date arithmetic, complex scientific calculations and complete
financial calculations precise to 17 digits.
Reston Our price $36.25. Save $1.90

BASIC Programs for Scientists and Engineers

Alan R. Miller
Presents more than 60 of the most often used scientific
algorithms and their implementation in BASIC. Also offers ait
approach to writing scientific programs in current
implementations of BASIC. Problem solving techniques
provided, along with program listings and sample runs.
Complete set of exorcises and appendices describing all
features of BASIC,
Sybex Our price $37.00. Save $1.95

Commodore 64 Machine Code Master: a library
of machine code routines David Lawrence

& Mark England

Provides full listing and explanation of Commodore 64 master
code assembler, then offers a collection of tested machine
code routines to extend C64 BASIC with more than a dozen
new commands. All routines fully explained, providing an
introduction to a wide range of programming techniques and
ways in which the C64 ROM can be used to best advantages
by the machine code programmer.

Reston Our price $24. 1 5. Save $ 1 .95

Creative Assembler: How to Write Arcade
Games for the BBC Model B & Acorn Electron

Jonathan Griffiths
Uses the assembler, a very dowl-iIuI communication tool, to
produce fast-moving, colourful arcade games without the
constraints imposed by the structured nature of high-lovol
languages
Penguin Our price $15.70. Save $1.25

Computing in a Small Business

Howard Horner
Aimed at the small business person, it sets out to provide a
practical guide to implementation of computer-based
systems. Follow-up activities included to help smooth the
process of introducing computers into day-to-day business
operations.
Hutchinson Our price $24.95. Save $1.30

Every Kid's First Book of Robots & Computers
David D. Thornburg

Allows children to develop computer programming and
geometry skills through use of a commonly available toy - a
robot vehicle. Programming is introduced as the
communication tool through which the child conveys
instructions to tho machine. Mastery and control of a simple
and inexpensive "computer" becomes the training
experience allowing children to create thier own programs on
larger computer systems.
Compute Our price $9.45. Save 50 cents

Graphics Programming on the IBM Personal
Computer

J. Edward Volkstorf, Jr

Comprehensive primer which teaches you all the BASIC
statements related to graphics. And once you've mastered
the fundamentals, you can experiment with the concepts by
running the programs. More than 60 applications include
business plotting, cartography, educational exercises,
animation and gamos.
Prentice-Hall Our price $38.35. Save $2.00

The Commodore 64 Program Book

Vince Apps

Collection of adventures, games and utilities to exploit the
C64's colour and graphics. Adventures test logic and
deduction; wide range of arcade-style games; utilities include
versatile assembler/disassembler program.
Phoenix Our price $22.75. Save $1.20

The Penguin Book of Personal Computing

John Graham

Illustrated, oasily'followed course for anyone considering buying
a microcomputer or wants to know how to use one Covers how
personal computers work; attachments (keyboards. VDUs,
cassettes, disks and printers); programming languages,
operating systems; application programs (games to business
systems); assessing the market when buying software, home
and business applications; networking.
Penguin Our price $12.50. Save $1.00

BITS & BYTES - March 1985 - 75

CLASSIFIEDS

■:■:•:-:■:■:■:■:-:•:-:•:■:•:■; ■■■v-::-::-::-:o:-:-:o:-::o::. ■:.■:■:■■::•:■:■:■•:•'■ '■:■--■-»:•-■ ■:■■ ■■■■■■ ■ ■ ■■■—.-.-■.■■.■-■. .■.•.•.■.■.,■..■■.■-■.■—.■...■....■■.■.■.■■.,■.■-...■...-.-.■—.■■.■.■■.■.-—.■-.•.■.■-.■.•.■.■.•■.■■■.■.

IBM PC OWNERS: Shugart hard disk drive
sysiem in superior case & supply now available
on prcordcr. For details SAE 10 COiMSEC, PO
Box 30. Waihi Beach South.

PERIPIIKRAI.S: Quality primers, drives &
monitors at warehouse prices brand new &
guaranteed. SAE to COMSEC, P.O. Box 30,
Waihi Beach South.

FRANKLIN ACE 64K for sale. Monitor,
1 x Disc, 80-col card, some software, and
manuals. S2000. Please phone Kerry (070) -
437615 or write Box 3036, Napier.

NORTH STAR Horizon 64K RAM, Quad
Microcomputer plus terminal plus Xerox daisy-
wheel printer — S25O0. including CPM,
Wordstar, CBASIC, MBASIC, dBasell,
Friday! and heaps of business software. ADM
5 terminal, nearly new — SI000. What offer
for:- Tandon TM 100-2 A double sided double
density S'/i' drives (3 off): 64K HRAM board:
Godbout Econoram Vila; Godbout Intcrfacer
(dual channel RS 232 Serial I/O); 16K CRAM
boards (3 off). Phone Pennell (04) 851-325 or
(058) 71462 a/h.

"NZ SPECTRUM ANI) Ql. Cl.UB: 8 pages of
programs, hints/lips, helpline, user input,
software file, news, editorials, BASIC &
machine code instruction. Quarterly cassette or
cartridge with above PIT'S many useful and
games programs. 20?'o discount on software &
peripherals (including 'ULTIMATE' games).
Send 24c stamp for FREE newsletter and
catalogue to: 37 Sunbiiry Street, Dunedin.

APPLE II PLUS 64K KAGA Monitor Disk
drive manuals all excellent condition. S1850
o.n.o. PH. Auck. 493-763.

FOR SALE Computer — CP/M
operating sysiem, Z80A processor,
2 x 8" floppy disk drives (1.2 MB
each), Epson MX 80 dot matrix
printer, separate terminal (Microtcrm
Act 5), ideal for serious hobbyist or
small business system. S4.000.00. Ph
(075) 442-089 (Tauranga).

APPLE JOYSTICK for sale, self-centring,
brand new, S40. Cont.nct Alistair Stevens. 65
Russell St., Dunedin. Phone 741-245.

FOR SALE Texas Instrument's T1-99/4A home
computer, with 16K games cartridge.
Instruction manuals and data cassette included.
All for S400 o.n.o. Write to Andrew Welch, 99
Grove St., Nelson.

HEATHKIT world famous microprocessor
trainer plus basic, advanced, and speech
synthesis courses for sale. For details write 59
Campbell St.. Wellington; Tel. 769-450 p.m.

PRINTER FOR SALE: SUPER 5-CP80: 80
cps. pseudo-letter quality, graphics. Tractor or
Friction, bi-directional etc. etc. (Refer Bits &
Bytes review Sept. '84) As new — unused —
only S549.00. Phone Tokoroa 67071.

VIC M.C. game, redland, high quality
defender type. Send for your copy to M.
Fcldbcrg Box 29, Rongotea with SI3.

APPLE PASCAL $250.00. Apple Logo
S25O.0O S400 for the pair. Both kits in prime
condition Wanganui Girls' College. P.O. Box
6000. Wanganui East, Phone: Wanganui
39141.

BANK STREET WRITER (for Apple
//e,// + ,//c): Original documentation
(Scholastic school version) and 3 original
program disks. Cost SI50. Sell S95. Ph. 28523
Huntcrville or write Otairi School, RD2
Huntcrvillc.

PADDLES for Commodore 65/Vic 20.
Unuscd-SI5. Ph. 28523 Huntcrville or Otairi
School. RD2 Huntcrville.

FOR SALE: TANDON DISK DRIVE. 40
track, single sided, with case and power supplv,
suit System 80/TRS80 etc. As new. S495.00.
Contact Kane Agencies Ltd, Box 710 Nelson.
Ph. (054)84-066.

COMMODORE CBM Model 8032 complete
with 4022 tractor printer and 8050 twin disk
drive. All in excellent condition. May be
viewed operating. Price negotiable around
$5,000. Phone Christchurch 485-322 bus. hrs.

Advertiser index

Auckland University Bookshop

AVM Electronics

AWA

Bell Tech Books
Bits & Bytes
Business Electronics
Business World

Commodore Computers
Compudata Systems
Computer Advances
Computer Distributors
Computer Experience
Computer Store
Computer Works
Computers (or People
Concord Communications
Control Microcomputers

Data General

Delairco Electronics

Delphi Industries

Dick Smith Electronics

76 - BITS & BYTES - March 1985

Einstein Scientific

Genesis Systems
Grandstand Leisure

70

Grundmann Electronics

28

23

Harris Electronics

54

Infotran Systems

3, 71

46

James Electronics

43

Kane Agencies

17. 59

S.D. Mandeno

10. 11

Manukau Computers

27

Micro Software Hire Club

61

Microstyle Computers

39

Molymerx

33

70

NZ Computer Games

44. 66. 68

29

Otakou Software

41

PC Power

45

Pitman Publishing

52

Professional Computer Services

30

13. 49

Roulston Greene

39. 65

36. 37

l/F. 1

58

42

38

58. 70

38

67

50. 70

53

47

6

50

70

2. 42
69
48

44

COMMODORE 64

wwwmaoQWMowosflwowrowwwwww^^

From page 58

because Commodore has just had a very
bad Christmas season. It made a profit of
only $3 million, compared to a profit of
$50 million for Christmas 1983. It is
estimated that Commodore has over
$400 million of unsold stock. As a result,
Commodore has laid off 10% of its staff
in USA and 15% in Britain.

Another problem for Commodore is
that most of the C-64's competitors
have recently slashed their prices. The
Atari 800XL, Spectrum Plus and Electron
are now selling near the old VIC price.
Commodore really must respond by
dropping the price of the C-64.

In fact, I can see a long and healthy
future for the C-64 selling at a cheap
price. That will then leave room for the
C-128 to come in at the old C-64 price.

This is the turning point for
Commodore. For the last two years, it
has raced ahead of the competition, but
now it has lost its momentum. If
Commodore wants to maintain its lead, it
must cut its losses and concentrate on
the C-64. the C-128 and the Amiga.

Assuming that Commodore is going to
do the sensible thing, I would like to
make some predictions for the New
Zealand market:

• The price of the C-64 will be cut in
the next few months to $595 or less. It
will sell very well at this price and will
hurt the competition, particularly the
Sega, Electron and Spectrum Plus.

• The C-1 28 will arrive in early spring
at $1 295 or less. It will be an immediate
success and will sharply cut into the
market of the more expensive eight-bit
computers, like the Apple lie.

• At the end of the year, the Amiga
will be released. With a single disk drive,
it will sell for $2995 or less. Initially,
there will be a flurry of sales, followed by
a gradual increase as more and more
software is developed.

On a more pessimistic note,
Commodore may keep producing the
C-1 6 and Plus 4; it may leave the C-64's
price unchanged; it may delay the
release of the Amiga. If so.
Commodore's future is bleak. Under
Jack Tramiel's leadership, Atari is
marketing its computers very
aggressively. In particular, the new
68000 machine is very attractive.
Unless Commodore rationalises its line
soon, it's going to be left in the dust.

The next few months should be
interesting. The struggle between Atari
and Commodore may well determine
what sort of computer most of us will be
using in the 1990s. Right now,
Commodore still has the edge, but it
must move quickly if it wants to maintain
it.

Silkwood

Sord

Southwark Industries

Standard Optical

Supaiech Electronics

Total Computer Services

Verbatim

Xidex

40

7, 15

19

47

51

47
55
43

MC-P APPLICATIONS

MC-P APPLICATIONS

IBM — I

WHY PAY MORE?
COMPARE OUR PRICES

SOFTWARE

Symphony

S1 445.00

Lotus 1-2-3

S995.00

Sideways

$102.00

Managing your Business 1-2-3

$1 40.00

Analyze the Slate 1-2-3

$140.00

Making Business Decisions 1-2-3

$140.00

FRIDAY

$525.00

DBASE II

$895.00

DBASE III

$1295.00

FRAMEWORK

$1295.00

KnowledgeMan

$995.00

Open Access

$1175.00

Quick Code

$525.00

Crosstalk

$235.00

REVELATION

$1600.00

Condor 3

$1165.00

B. P. S.Graphics

$535.00

Peter Norton Utilities

$215.00

Microsoft Word

CALL

WORDSTAR

$475.00

Mailmerge

$155.00

Spellstar

$155.00

MultiMate

$950.00

MultiMate Training

$165.00

P.F.S. File

$267.00

P.F.S. Report

$242.00

P.F.S. Graph

$267.00

P.F.S. Write

$267.00

P.F.S. Proof

$185.00

P.F.S. Access

$185.00

T/Maker3

CALL

SPSS/PC Statistics

CALL

LANI DATASTORE

CALL

LANI Mail Monitor

CALL

HARDWARE

Expansion Cards

Blossom Multifunction Expansion Card

AST 6 pak Plus Multifunction Expansion

Short Memory Card

J-RAM-2 Multifunction Megamemory

supports 740K DOS' carries

2MbR.A.M.

64K Memory Upgrades

8087 Co Processor

80 287 Co Processor (AT)

Communications

5251 LOCAL

5251 Remote

ASTS.N.A.

PCOX

IRMA

IRMALINE

IRMALETTE

Comway Mono-graphics

Colman Adapter

Mono/Colour Combo Card

Colour Card

Short Colour Card

Keyboards

Microsoft Mouse
Numeric Short Key Pad
Speed Key
Disk Drives/Backup

Tandon Disk Drive 360K
Santa Clara 18MW6
Santa Clara 38Mbf6
Santa Clara 36Mb/6
Santa Clara 32Mb/Mag Tape
Santa Clara 57MbfMag Tape
Santa Clara 73Mb/Mag Tape

(all Mag tapes 45 or 60Mb)
Networking
Santa Clara PC Terminal 256K
Diskless Boot Prom
PV-Net Starter Kit
PC-Net sx Additional Stations
Novell Netware Operating System
IBM PC. XT. AT.

S816.00

S852.00

CALL

$1260.00

S 130.00

S466.00

CALL

$1 880.00

S2483.00

S2287.00

CALL

S2467.00

CALL

CALL

S803.00

$171.00

CALL

CALL

CALL

S473.00
CALL
CALL

S625.00
$7310.00
$11,135.00
CALL
CALL
CALL
CALL

S4265.00
S260.00
S2943.00
$1352.00
S2925.00
CALL

4

SPECIAL OFFER MS MONTH ONLY

Symphony plus Graphics Card $2345 Prices: Subject to Change

Lotus 1-2-3 plus Graphics Card $2000 Terms: Nett Cash 7 days from
d Base II Database plus receipt of goods

Multimate Word Processor $1 800 Delivery Costs: Extra

MC-P Applications

First Floor

10 O'Connell Street

AUCKLAND

MC-P APPLICATIONS

P.O. Box 5056
Wellesley Street
AUCKLAND
Telephone: (09) 34

MC-P APPLICATIONS

If you Ve the taste

for success.

pick Apricot.

You're already in business and
it's growing steadily.

You've already tasted the fruits
of success and obviously want to
continue that way.

Your company is expertly
managed, but you re just reaching
that critical stage when you need to
consider getting a com puter, or
updating your present system.

Whaf you need is a computer to
look after your interests, as your
company expands over the years.
A computer that can tackle any
business activity. A computer that
will not date this year, next year, or
the year after that. A computer that
can also offer you the largest range
of business software available.

The answer is an Apricot.

Following a fine British tradition,
Applied Computer Techniques offer
some of the finest technology
available in the world.

So if you've the taste for success,
pick Apricot and watch your
business grow.

apricot

Simply Superior:

Apricot Fl

The Fl has been specifically designed for the first-time business user— the person whose first computer investment must represent

andable to 768k), double- sided 3.5" disk drive,

a genuine business machine. With features including a standard 256k of RAM (e
cordless infra-red keyboard and optional mouse, and colour electronics enabling ti
it sets a new standard in entry-level business computing.

; Fl to display colour on a wide variety of monitors.

Extensive range of software available.

Apricot XI

Apricot Portable

Distributed by Barson Computers Auckland — Melbourne — Sydney

For your local dealer, -Telephone Auckland (09) 504049 or write P.O. Box 26-287, Epsom, N.Z.

Manufactured in U.K. by ACTdntemarJonaO Ltd.

TAD 1151